Materials and methods for treatment and diagnosis of disorders associated with oxidative stress

ABSTRACT

The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for the prevention and treatment of disease conditions associated with oxidative stress or a compromised reducing environment, including inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Another aspect of the subject invention concerns compositions formulated for administration as an enema. The subject invention also concerns compositions formulated for oral administration. Methods of the invention include administration of compounds or compositions of the invention. In one embodiment, compounds or compositions of the invention are rectally instilled in a patient. In another embodiment, compounds or compositions are orally administered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/664,237, filed Dec. 11, 2009, which is the National Stage of International Application No. of PCT/US2008/007401, filed Jun. 13, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/934,505, filed Jun. 13, 2007 and 61/063,745, filed Feb. 6, 2008. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/540,864, filed Sep. 28, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/107,179, filed Apr. 15, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/927,742, filed Aug. 27, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,312,243, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/499,152, filed Aug. 29, 2003, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any figures, tables, nucleic acid sequences, amino acid sequences, and drawings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurrent bouts of rectal bleeding and bloody diarrhea. The initial inflammatory reaction begins in the rectal mucosa in over 95% of cases and may extend in a contiguous fashion to involve the whole colon (Hendrickson, 2002).

Histologically, ulcerative colitis is manifest by mainly neutrophil infiltration into the colonic mucosal crypts of Lieberkuhn leading to a neutrophilic cryptitis and the formation of micro crypt abscesses, which coalesce to form bleeding macroscopic mucosal ulcerations. Neutrophilic secretion of tissue destructive cytokines and oxygen radicals leads to a chronic crypt destructive colitis that can involve the entire colon (Carpenter, 2000).

Treatment modalities are few and unsatisfactory and remain confined to aminosalicylate derivatives and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids for initial therapy, progressing to potent immunosuppressive agents for recalcitrant disease and finally to colectomy for those patients unresponsive to medical therapy. Most patients with mild to moderate disease have an unpredictable course. Individuals with severe disease comprise approximately 20% of patients. About 85% of patients with severe or fulminant disease will undergo total colectomy within a year. The cumulative likelihood of requiring colectomy by 25 years is about 32%. (National Guidelines Clearinghouse: http://www.ngc.gov “Management of Ulcerative Colitis”).

Medical treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis have been directed towards either neutralizing one or more of the cytokines produced by the infiltrating neutrophils or eliminating the source of the cytokine, i.e., the neutrophil itself. Since the history of medically treated ulcerative colitis is characterized by lifelong repeated episodes of the disease, it appears that no currently available medical therapeutic modality is capable of addressing the fundamental disorder present and therefore current therapies are unable to alter the natural history of this condition.

It is perhaps among the greatest physiological wonders of evolution that the most highly evolved immune system ever engendered can remain unperturbed while surrounding the highest concentration of bacteria on the planet, separated only by a tenuous sheet of tissue one cell thick.

This unlikely truce describes the living conditions of the normal human colon where the luminal concentration of potentially pathogenic bacteria is estimated to be 10¹² (one trillion) colony-forming units (viable bacterial cells) per gram of colonic contents (Farrell and Peppercorn, 2002). The number of prokaryotic bacterial cells in the gastrointestinal tract (10¹⁴) (one hundred trillion) is equal to the total number of cells in the human body (Blaut, 2000; Guyton and Hall, 1997). Close to one half of the weight of feces produced is composed of bacteria and there are over 400 known species of bacteria in the normal human colon, many of which are quite virulent and pyogenic if translocated to other body cavities outside of the intestine.

The mucosal immune system of the gastrointestinal tract can be conceptually divided into a normally non-reactive or tolerant surface component and a potentially reactive sub-surface entity. The surface component, consisting of T-cells interspersed among the colonic epithelial cells, has been rendered tolerant to colonic bacteria. This anergic surface T cell response to normal luminal bacterial flora has been present since birth. Teleologically, these T-cells may serve as a first line defense to recognize foreign bacteria that infect the mucosa itself.

The reactive component of the sub-surface immune system consists of macrophages, B-cells and additional T-cells that reside within the normally sterile environment just beneath the colonic epithelial basement membrane in the lamina propria. These immune cells are physically separated from luminal bacterial antigens by three distinct physical barriers of protection. These consist of, starting from the luminal side, a protective mucus layer, an intact colonic mucosal lining and subjacent basement membrane. This degree of separation maintains a sterile sub-epithelial environment and shields the lamina propria immune cells and vasculature from encountering colonic bacterial products that would otherwise initiate an immune and chemotactic response.

The integrity of the colonic epithelial cell/basement membrane (surface) barrier is paramount in maintaining immune quiescence within the colonic tissues and preventing the colonic immune system from mounting an immune response to the high concentration of bacterial antigen that is poised to invade the normally sterile sub-epithelial environment.

Cellular mechanisms involved in maintaining the integrity of the colonic surface barrier function may therefore be compromised early on in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Dysfunction of a vital process required to maintain mucosal integrity must therefore be an early and necessary part of a sequential series of events ultimately leading to deterioration of epithelial barrier function with subsequent mucosal immune activation secondary to antigenic penetration into the lamina propria.

In other words, the additive effect of abnormal cellular stressors focused on a common biochemical pathway are acting in concert to disrupt an intracellular biochemical process that contributes a required function necessary for maintaining colonic surface barrier integrity.

The high incidence (over 50%) of spontaneous improvement and relapse seen in ulcerative colitis (Meyers and Janowitz, 1989) suggests a reversible disruption and the possibility of a self replenishing depletion syndrome affecting a crucial element required for mucosal integrity.

Experimental attempts to create an animal model of human ulcerative colitis using rectal instillation of toxic chemicals are inherently limited in their ability to faithfully reproduce the disease due to complex psychological, physiological, genetic, environmental and immunological interactions that antecede and contribute to the pathogenesis of this condition in humans (Farrell and Peppercorn, 2002). In vivo human colonic exposure to toxic chemicals is not currently advocated for any clinical condition. However, such was not always the case.

For many years during the twentieth century hydrogen peroxide enemas were routinely employed and recommended by physicians for the evacuation of fecal impactions. As recently as 1980, hydrogen peroxide enemas were being advocated for the treatment of fecal impaction in a major nursing text (Brunner and Suddarth, 1980). However, in the 1930's reports began to surface regarding the development of rectal bleeding and colitis subsequent to the use of hydrogen peroxide enemas (Benson and Bargen, 1939). A fatal case of colitis subsequent to hydrogen peroxide enema was first recorded in 1948 (Sheenan and Brynjolfsson, 1960). In this case, the authors report a 41-year-old white female who died 5 days after self-administration of a hydrogen peroxide enema to relieve a fecal impaction. The autopsy report noted acute ulcerative colitis, which was “attributed to the action of the hydrogen peroxide enema.” Since then there have been reports of fatal outcomes secondary to the development of colitis subsequent to the use of hydrogen peroxide enemas. In 1951, Pumphrey reports severe ulcerative proctosigmoiditis following hydrogen peroxide enemas in two patients (Pumphery, 1951). In 1967, Shaw reported the deaths of several infants some time following the evacuation of impacted meconium with hydrogen peroxide (Shaw et al., 1967). In 1981, Meyer et al. reported three cases of acute ulcerative colitis after administration of hydrogen peroxide enema and stated that “acute ulcerative colitis appears to be a fairly predictable occurrence after hydrogen peroxide enemas” (Meyer et al., 1981). In 1989, Bilotta and Waye describe an epidemic of hydrogen peroxide induced colitis in the G.I. endoscopy unit at their institution. This was due to the inadvertent instillation of hydrogen peroxide during colonoscopy. Upon contact of the hydrogen peroxide with colonic mucosa they visualized instantaneous mucosal whitening and frothy bubbles, which they describe as the “snow white” sign (Bilotta and Waye, 1989). In 1995, inadvertent colonic instillation of hydrogen peroxide during colonoscopy resulted in the same mucosal reaction (Schwartz et al., 1995). In 2001, rectal bleeding was, once again, noted to be a complication of hydrogen peroxide enemas (Thibaud et al., 2001).

In their classic experiments, Sheehan and Byrnjolfsson (1960) produced acute and chronic ulcerative colitis by rectal injection of rats with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Microscopic examination of sacrificed rats revealed colonic mucosal ulceration and neutrophilic infiltration, which was “sharply delineated from adjacent normal mucosa.” The mucosal inflammation, which reached 5 cm above the anus at 5 hours after injection had extended proximally to 9 cm by one week. Additionally the authors noted that, in surviving rats, most of the colonic mucosal ulcerations were healed by 10 weeks with the exception of some, which “were located almost always in the left colon a few centimeters above the anus.”

Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless, heavy, strongly oxidizing liquid, a powerful bleaching agent; also used for wastewater treatment, as a disinfectant and as an oxidant in rocket fuels. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) also has a ubiquitous presence in cells and is continuously being generated in the cytosol and several different sub-cellular organelles including peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus by various oxidase and oxygenase enzymes (i.e. xanthine oxidase, cytochrome p450 oxygenase) (Chance et al., 1979). However, in most cells, approximately 90% of hydrogen peroxide is generated as a toxic by-product of mitochondrial electron transport chain respiratory activity (Eaton and Qian, 2002).

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) consists of five distinct protein components, which are embedded within the mitochondrial inner membrane facing the inner liquid matrix. Three of these components are large, membrane fixed, protein complexes (Complex I, III and IV), which serve as trans-membrane redox linked proton pumps that act to transfer protons from the matrix through the inner membrane into the inter-membrane space (Schultz and Chan, 2001). These three complexes interact with two smaller mobile carriers (complex II and cytochrome c), which shuttle electrons between the complexes. Complex II (Succinate dehydrogenase, EC 1.3.5.1) transfers electrons between Complex I (NADH dehydrogenase EC 1.6.5.3) and complex III (Ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase, EC 1.10.2.2) while cytochrome c (a small heme containing protein) shuttles electrons from complex III to complex IV (Cytochrome-c oxidase, EC 1.9.3.1). These redox electron transfers result in conformational changes of the inner membrane-bound protein complexes (I, II and III), which drive the flow of protons from the matrix through the inner membrane and into the inter membrane space. The resultant accumulation of protons within the inter membrane space creates an electrochemical gradient, which drives the flow of these protons back into the matrix through a trans-membrane enzyme (ATP synthase, EC 3.6.1.34 or Complex V). It is the energy provided by this retrograde flow of protons down its electrochemical gradient, which provides the energy for ATP synthase to synthesize ATP (Schultz and Chan, 2001). The final acceptor of electrons in the chain is diatomic (molecular) oxygen, which is completely reduced to water by Cytochrome-c oxidase (complex IV) in a reaction in which molecular oxygen (O₂) combines with 4 electrons (e⁻) and 4 protons (H+) to produce two molecules of water (H₂O). Complex I and III are the source of electron leakage leading to the eventual intracellular generation of hydrogen peroxide (Lemasters and Nieminen, 2001; St.-Pierre et. al., 2002).

There are thousands of these electron transport chain protein complexes doting the matrix aspect of mitochondrial cristae, which continuously reduce oxygen in order to build the electrochemical potential needed to create a chemiosmotic gradient of protons in the intermembrane space that drives the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

The transfer of electrons through the electron transport chain, however, is not perfect and up to 5% of electrons do not make it all the way through the chain and fail to combine with oxygen to produce water (Liu, 1997; Turrens, 1997; Eberhardt, 2001). Electron transfer through the ETC depends upon requisite conformational changes and proton transfers which must occur prior to the electron passing to the next protein in the chain. Failure of these changes to take place leads to a decoupling of electron transfer referred to as an electron leak (Schultz and Chan, 2001). These “leaked” electrons, from complex I and III of the electron transport chain, combine directly with molecular oxygen in the immediate vicinity, instead of the next carrier in the chain, to form superoxide (O₂ ⁻.) which is the first (single electron) incomplete reduction product of molecular oxygen (Cadenas and Davies, 2000). The extra unpaired electron in its outer valence orbital makes superoxide a radical, also commonly referred to as a reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) or species (ROS). It is estimated that 2% of available oxygen is converted to superoxide by electron transport chain “leakage” (Boveris and Chance, 1973). At physiological pH superoxide exists as an anion radical and acts preferentially as a reducing agent (donate an electron) (Eberhardt, 2001). Superoxide can cause serious damage to cells if allowed to accumulate.

Superoxide, however, due to its negative charge, cannot pass through biological membranes and is contained within the mitochondria. Superoxide can spontaneously dismutate to hydrogen peroxide or undergo enzymatic dismutation to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at the site of production within mitochondria by the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) (EC 1.15.1.1) (Chance 1979, Eberhardt, 2001). In this enzymatic reaction two superoxide molecules are combined with two protons and converted to one molecule of hydrogen peroxide and one molecule of diatomic oxygen, (O₂ ⁻.+O₂ ⁻.→SOD, 2H⁺→H₂O₂+O₂). Superoxide is considered to be a stoichiometric precursor of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (Chance et al., 1979; Han et al., 2001) such that virtually all superoxide radicals generated in mitochondria are converted to hydrogen peroxide while channeling 2% of total mitochondrial oxygen consumption, via superoxide, into the formation of H₂O₂ (Han et al., 2001; Boveris et al., 1972).

Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are considered the primary reactive oxygen metabolites. All other radicals are generated by way of secondary reactions of these initially formed reactive oxygen metabolites (Eberhardt, 2001). Within mitochondria superoxide, therefore, is an intermediary in the formation of hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide is unique among reactive oxygen metabolites. It is not a radical, as it has no unpaired electrons however; it is considered a ROM because it is the immediate precursor of the most damaging and chemically reactive radical known which is the hydroxyl radical (.OH). Hydrogen peroxide can undergo a one-electron reduction to form hydroxyl radical. The reducing agent (electron donating species) can be a transition metal ion (Fenton reaction) or the superoxide radical (Haber-Weiss reaction).

Both iron and copper ions (present in tissues) can act as reducing agents in a Fenton reaction (Fe⁺²+H₂O₂→Fe⁺³+HO⁻+HO.) or (Cu⁺+H₂O₂→Fe⁺3+HO⁻+HO.) in the homolytic fission of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radical and a hydroxide anion.

The Haber-Weiss reaction (O₂ ⁻.+H₂O₂→O₂+HO⁻+HO.) can also be accelerated in vivo when iron is present in an iron catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction (O₂ ⁻.+Fe⁺³→O₂+Fe⁺²) followed by the classic Fenton reaction above (Eberhardt, 2001). Superoxide, in addition to being generated within the cell, is also released to the extracellular compartment from various sources including fibroblasts, endothelial cells and intestinal bacteria (O'Donnell et al., 1996; Souchard et al., 1998; Huycke et al., 2002; Huycke and Moore, 2002; Huycke et al., 2001). In biological systems, however, the iron catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction is considered the major mechanism by which the highly reactive hydroxyl radical is generated (Kehrer, 2000).

The hydroxyl radical is an extraordinarily powerful oxidizing agent, which attacks other molecules at diffusion-limited rates and will indiscriminately destroy everything it encounters (Eberhardt, 2001; Fridovich, 1998; Chen and Schopfer, 1999). The hydroxyl radical is the most chemically reactive oxygen species formed in cellular metabolism and is principally responsible for the cytotoxic effects of oxygen in animals (Chen and Schopfer, 1999). Despite its immensely damaging biological effects the hydroxyl radical is continuously produced with relative ease (Fridovich, 1998). This no doubt is due to the constitutive nature of its precursor (H₂O₂), the ubiquitous distribution of transition metal catalyst (iron and copper) necessary for its generation and the abundance of superoxide radical serving as the initial electron donating (reducing) species.

Reacting at diffusion controlled rates means that hydroxyl radical will react at every collision each time it encounters another molecule. Because of its extreme reactivity the hydroxyl radical will react with most molecules in a site specific manner via addition and abstraction and, therefore, most molecules serve as scavengers of hydroxyl radical (Eberhardt, 2001).

Molecules interacting with hydroxyl radicals sustain severe damage to the extent that the hydroxyl radical is able to crack polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and proteins located just a few atomic diameters (nanometers) from its site of generation (Chen and Schopfer, 1999).

The diffusion limited reaction rate of hydroxyl radical gives it the shortest half-life of any reactive oxygen metabolite (one nanosecond) (Kehrer, 2000). This extremely short reaction time makes the hydroxyl radical very difficult to scavenge with any specific antioxidant molecule. Detoxification of hydrogen peroxide, the immediate precursor to hydroxyl radical, therefore is crucial to normal cellular function and survival. Consequently, very sophisticated intracellular enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms are in place to neutralize hydrogen peroxide at its site of generation before it can accumulate within cellular compartments. These H₂O₂ neutralizing antioxidant enzymes are catalase (E.C. 1.11.1.6) and glutathione peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.9). The fact that there are two enzyme systems for H₂O₂ neutralization suggests that removal of hydrogen peroxide is essential for survival of the cell.

Catalase is located mainly within peroxisomes while glutathione peroxidase is found throughout the cytoplasm and mitochondria (Eberhardt, 2001, pg 286; Davies, 2000; Cadenas and Davies, 2000). The compartmentalization of catalase coupled with a lower Km for H₂O₂ and a first order catalytic reaction which is strictly proportional to the H₂O₂ concentration suggests that glutathione peroxidase is more important for the removal of H₂O₂ than catalase (Eberhardt, 2001, pg. 125).

A degradation profile for H₂O₂ has been established in human Jurkat T cells. This study determined that glutathione peroxidase activity is responsible for 91% of H₂O₂ consumption while catalase only contributes a minor role at 9% (Boveris and Cadenas, 2000). The relative importance of these enzymes is manifested by the consequences of their respective deficiency states. Acatalasemia in humans is a relatively benign disease and most patients with this condition have no serious pathology.

Experimental acatalasemic mice likewise have no spontaneous health problems (Eaton and Ma, 1995). Complete absence of glutathione peroxidase, in contrast, has not been reported in humans, presumably because the lack of this crucial enzyme precludes embryogenesis.

On a populational level, ethnic variation of glutathione peroxidase has been recorded with individuals of Jewish or Mediterranean origin exhibiting lower activities (The Metabolic and Molecular Basis of Inherited Disease, 2001, 8th ed., p. 4650). A two to four fold increase in incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis has also been reported for these ethnic groups (Roth et al., 1989).

As can be understood from the above, there remains a need in the art for therapeutic modalities to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention concerns materials and methods for the prevention and treatment of disease conditions associated with oxidative stress or a compromised reducing environment. One aspect of the invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment of inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In one embodiment, a therapeutic composition of the present invention comprises a reducing agent. The reducing agent can be an agent capable of functioning intracellularly or it can be an extracellularly active agent or both. In an exemplified embodiment, the reducing agent is 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and/or sodium thiosulfate and/or dihydro lipoic acid and/or alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and/or pyruvate. In one embodiment, a therapeutic composition of the invention comprises sodium thiosulfate, bismuth subgallate, vitamin E, and sodium cromolyn. In an exemplified embodiment, a therapeutic composition is provided in a form suitable for administration as a retention enema. In another embodiment, a therapeutic composition is provided in a form suitable for oral administration.

Another aspect of the subject invention concerns compositions formulated for administration as an enema. An enema formulation of the invention comprises 5-ASA and a steroid compound. Steroid compounds contemplated within the scope of the invention include corticosteroids. In one embodiment, a composition suitable for administration as an enema comprises an effective amount of 5-ASA and budesonide. In another embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises 5-ASA and a hydrocortisone, such as CORTENEMA. Other corticosteroids that can be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, prednisone and prednisolone.

The subject invention also concerns methods of treating a person or animal having an inflammatory bowel disorder. In one embodiment of the subject methods, a person or animal in need of treatment is administered a composition of the present invention in a biologically compatible form or composition. In one embodiment, a composition to be administered comprises a reducing agent such as 5-ASA, sodium thiosulfate, dihydro lipoic acid (R-dihydro lipoic acid, L-dihydro lipoic acid, or both) and/or alpha lipoic acid or ALA. An enema formulation of the invention comprises 5-ASA and a steroid compound. Steroid compounds contemplated within the scope of the invention include corticosteroids. In one embodiment, a composition suitable for administration as an enema comprises an effective amount of 5-ASA and budesonide. In another embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises 5-ASA and a hydrocortisone, such as CORTENEMA. Other corticosteroids that can be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, prednisone and prednisolone. In an exemplified embodiment, the therapeutic composition is administered rectally. In another embodiment, a composition for oral administration comprises alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (N-A-C), and L-glutamine.

The subject invention also concerns compositions formulated for oral administration. In one embodiment, a composition comprises alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (N-A-C), and L-glutamine. The alpha-lipoic acid can be racemic alpha-lipoic acid, R-lipoic acid, or R-dihydro-lipoic acid. A composition of the present invention can also comprise compounds that inhibit tissue necrosis factor (TNF).

The subject invention also concerns kits and containers comprising a therapeutic composition or compounds of the present invention. The containers can be selected for ease of administration of a therapeutic composition to a person or animal.

The subject invention also concerns methods and kits for detecting and diagnosing an inflammatory bowel disorder, such as ulcerative colitis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E show sigmoidoscopy results: distal sigmoid (FIG. 1A); distal sigmoid (FIG. 1B); mid-sigmoid (FIG. 1C); distal sigmoid (FIG. 1D); and rectum (FIG. 1E).

FIGS. 2A-2C show sigmoidoscopy results: distal sigmoid (FIG. 2A); rectum (FIG. 2B), and rectum (FIG. 2C).

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention concerns materials and methods for the prevention and treatment of disease conditions associated with oxidative stress or a compromised reducing environment. One aspect of the invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment of inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel disorder. It has been discovered that the production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and its overproduction and escape from cells of the gastrointestinal tract is a causal component of inflammatory bowel disorders such as ulcerative colitis. The cells of the body are constantly producing oxygen radicals, including hydrogen peroxide, as a by-product of metabolism. These radicals must be neutralized within the cells before they can damage intracellular structures and lead to cell death. The constant generation of oxygen radicals and hydrogen peroxide is an oxidative stress that is neutralized by the reducing capacity of the cell. The most important reducing substance within cell is glutathione. Thus, the reducing environment that cells require in order to function is maintained by a delicate balance between the reduction capacity of the cell (mainly glutathione) and oxygen radicals (mainly hydrogen peroxide). Under normal conditions the intracellular hydrogen peroxide concentration is maintained very low by the constant production of glutathione which neutralizes (reduces) H₂O₂. When this balance is disturbed either by increased H₂O₂ generation, decreased glutathione production or both, then hydrogen peroxide will accumulate within cells and diffuse through the cellular membrane to the extracellular space. When this occurs in the rectal tissues, the colonic barrier to luminal bacterial products is disrupted allowing tissue penetration of antigenic material into the normally sterile colonic lamina propria. The subsequent infiltration of activated neutrophils results in secretion of enormous amounts of tissue destructive cytokines and additional oxygen radicals including hydrogen peroxide. Thus, a vicious cycle is set up whereby cryptal neutrophils, upon exposure to fecal material, are stimulated to produce destructive cytokines and oxygen radicals in an attempt to rid the local environment of bacteria, which further damages the colonic tissue barrier thereby allowing additional bacterial infiltration with amplification of the immune response and so on until the entire colon is involved. The production of hydrogen peroxide by infiltrating neutrophils is able to diffuse into adjacent normal colonic tissue, overwhelming its reducing capacity and causing oxidative damage to adjacent colonic barrier function and epithelial cells. This results in a contiguous spread of inflammation from the point of origin in the rectum to the rest of the colon. Hydrogen peroxide that has diffused or escaped from a cell can be converted to a hydroxyl radical which can subsequently disrupt cellular structures such as the basement membrane and tight junctions. This initiates the immune response which results in the pathology associated with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis can be divided into two phases. The first phase is called induction and begins with the extracellular diffusion of hydrogen peroxide to the extracellular environment. Throughout this phase the epithelial lining appears macroscopically intact and histologically normal. The damage is confined to molecular disruption of colonic epithelial tight junctions and basement membranes resulting in transitory increased colonic permeability to intestinal antigens. There is no rectal bleeding during this phase and this process may go on for months to years resulting in sporadic extra intestinal manifestations such as myalgias, arthralgias and faciitis due to intermittent immune activation subsequent to transitory colonic sub-mucosal antigenic penetration. Due to the high colonic epithelial turnover rate of about three days it is possible to repair the damage and restore the colonic barrier if the initial damage is not overwhelming. However, if the epithelial barrier cannot be reassembled and antigenic invasion is sustained, then further immune activation in the form of neutrophilic infiltration will occur.

The second phase of ulcerative colitis begins with neutrophilic invasion into the colonic tissues and is called the propagation phase. It is during this phase that neutrophil derived cytokines and oxygen radicals initiate tissue damage leading to mucosal ulceration and rectal bleeding and diarrhea characteristic of this disease.

The importance of two distinct phases of ulcerative colitis lies in the ability to modify the inflammatory process during the induction phase via manipulation of risk factors which can be positive (pro-inflammatory, increasing H₂O₂ production) or negative (anti-inflammatory, decreasing H₂O₂ production). The propagation phase, as the name implies, is self-sustaining and auto-stimulating, and is not affected by risk factors. It is during the propagation phase that individuals manifest rectal bleeding due to colonic tissue destruction and without external intervention to reverse the process may develop extensive colonic inflammation leading to colectomy. Colectomy will eliminate the source of induction and propagation along with that segment of intestine having a damaged and permeable barrier. This will abolish the portal of systemic antigenic entry and terminate the inflammatory process. However, colonic inflammation can be terminated anytime during induction if risk factors promoting H₂O₂ production are recognized and eliminated. Propagation can also be terminated by appropriate intervention to treat a patient with methods and compositions of the present invention.

Any materials that can be used to neutralize hydrogen peroxide or its decomposition products (hydroxyl radical or hydroxide anion) are contemplated within the scope of the invention. These include, but are not limited to, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and catalase, catalysts (such as zinc dust or other metal powders or metal catalysts), manganese in a bicarbonate buffer, and asbestos fibers or other fibers able to decompose hydrogen peroxide. Glutathione, or its precursor amino acids (glycine, cysteine and glutamate) can also be used in the compositions and methods of the invention. Monoester or diester glutathione derivatives can be used with the subject invention as glutathione with ester groups attached is taken up into cells more readily than glutathione.

In one embodiment, a therapeutic composition of the present invention comprises at least one reducing agent. The reducing agent can be one that acts primarily extracellularly, primarily intracellularly, or both extracellularly and intracellularly. In one embodiment, a therapeutic composition of the invention comprises at least one extracellular reducing agent and at least one intracellular reducing agent.

In an exemplified embodiment, the reducing agent is a thiosulfate ion, which can be provided in the form of a salt such as, for example, sodium thiosulfate, ammonium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, silver thiosulfate, choline thiosulfate, gold sodium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate hex hydrate, and thiosulfate hyposulfite. Examples of other reducing agents contemplated within the scope of the invention include, but are not limited to, metal borohydrides, sodium hydrosulfite, dimethylthiourea, sodium bisulfite, thiourea dioxide, diethylhydroxylamine, zinc dust, sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium hydride, trimethyl borate, benzyl triphenphosphonium chloride, butyl triphenphosphonium bromide, ethyl triphenphosphonium acid acetate, ethyl triphenphosphonium bromide, ethyl triphenphosphonium iodide, ethyl triphenphosphonium phosphate, and tetrabutyl phosphonium acid acetate. Another reducing agent that can be used is glutathione, or a monoester or diester glutathione, diester glutathione or multiester glutathione derivative.

In an exemplified embodiment, an intracellular reducing agent of the invention is alpha lipoic acid (ALA), dihydro lipoic acid, or pyruvate. Both of these are capable of entering a cell and reacting with H₂O₂. ALA is a small molecule (MW 206.3, CAS #1077-28-7). It is known by a variety of names which vary depending upon its redox state (oxidized or reduced) and the enantiomeric configuration around the number three carbon chiral center (*). The older relative (comparison) based D and L nomenclature has been replaced by the designation R and S indicating absolute stereochemical configuration.

Alternative terminology for Alternative terminology for Alpha-lipoic acid Dihydro-lipoic acid Thioctan 6,8 thioctic acid Thioctic acid DL-6- Thioctic acid 1,2 dithiolane-3-valeric acid R-Dihydro-lipoic acid 1,2 dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid 6,8 dithiooctanoic acid DL-1,2-Dithiolan-3-valeriansaeure RS-Dihydro-lipoic acid

ALA is an eight carbon cyclic disulfide containing fatty acid which is synthesized in trace amounts within mitochondria in all cells of the body. Only the R-isomer is synthesized naturally. In its natural state ALA is covalently bonded, via its terminal carboxyl in an amide linkage, to the epsilon amino group of lysine residues which form part of multi-subunit enzyme complexes that catalyze vital energy metabolism reactions within mitochondria. There is very little free ALA in the cytoplasm or circulation.

The bonding of ALA to its cognate protein is accomplished as a post-translational modification of the enzyme. In its protein bound state it is a required enzymatic co-factor called lipoamide. The enzyme complexes which use ALA are the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex which catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, a vital substrate for energy production via the Krebs (citric acid) cycle. The alpha-ketoglutarate complex which catalyzes another important Krebs cycle reaction, the branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of three branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine and isoleucine) generating acetyl-CoA for entry into the Krebs cycle and finally the glycine cleavage system complex that catalyzes the formation of 5,10 methylene tetrahydrofolate which plays a vital role in the synthesis of nucleic acids.

The natural function of ALA is to bind and transfer acyl groups to successive enzymatic active sites among the subunits of each enzyme complex. In this process of acyl transfer ALA is reduced to dihydrolipoic acid and subsequently re-oxidized back to ALA by its attached cognate enzyme which readies it for the next acyl transfer. ALA has a high degree of bioavailability after oral administration and exhibits both lipid and water solubility. This allows its distribution to both intra and extra cellular compartments.

A therapeutic composition of the present invention can optionally include one or more of the following:

-   -   1) a compound or composition that is antibacterial or that         prevents or inhibits adherence of bacteria to gastrointestinal         tissues or cells. In one embodiment, the compound can be a         bismuth salt. In an exemplified embodiment, the compound can be         bismuth subgallate. Antibiotics active against bacteria present         in the gastrointestinal tract can be included. In a preferred         embodiment, the compound is active against Bacteroides.     -   2) a compound or composition that adds viscosity (for steric         hindrance) and/or that inhibits epithelial lipid peroxidation,         such as, for example, d-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E),         carboxymethylcellulose or other viscous mono or polysaccharide         compounds (e.g., honey).     -   3) a compound or composition that inhibits mast cells and/or         that helps to seal or repair tight junctions between cells in         the gastrointestinal tract. In one embodiment, the compound can         be sodium cromolyn.     -   4) a compound or composition that scavenges hydroxyl radicals.         In one embodiment, the compound can be dimethyl sulfoxide         (DMSO), mannitol, methional, deoxyribose or DMPO         (5,5-dimethylpyrollidine-N-oxide).     -   5) a compound or composition that inhibits or blocks NADPH         oxidase, such as DMSO or apocynin.     -   6) a compound or composition that kills or inhibits colonically         localized neutrophils, or that prevents or inhibits neutrophils         from entering the colon or exiting the colonic vasculature. In         one embodiment, antibodies or other blocking agents of vascular         adhesion molecules (ICAMS) present on vascular endothelium, such         as selectin, or antibodies or other blocking agents of the         corresponding neutrophilic counter ligand, such as integrin, can         be used.     -   7) a compound or composition that stops or inhibits neutrophils         from producing hydrogen peroxide. Examples include DMSO and         Trental.     -   8) a compound or composition that chelates or sequesters iron         molecules that are necessary for the reduction of hydrogen         peroxide to a hydroxyl radical. In one embodiment, the iron         chelating agent Desferal (Deferoxamine) can be used.     -   9) the compound 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) or colazal         (balsalazide disodium) can be included.     -   10) a compound that neutralizes or scavenges hydroxide ions. In         one embodiment, a composition of the invention can comprise a         weak acid or weak base, such as in the form of a buffered         solution at a pH of from about 6.8 to about 7.4 comprising         sodium bicarbonate.     -   11) any agent or therapy that will inhibit the electron         transport chain or any of its components (e.g., an agent or         therapy that suppresses cytochrome oxidase enzyme).     -   In one embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises a         reducing agent and an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. Preferably, the         reducing agent is a thiosulfate salt, such as sodium         thiosulfate, and the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor is apocynin. In a         preferred embodiment, the composition is provided in an orally         administered capsule that delays dissolving until it is present         in the colon.

The compounds of the invention can be administered as a single composition, or they can be administered individually at the same or different times and via the same or different route (e.g., oral, rectal, etc.) of administration. In one embodiment, a composition of the invention is provided in a mixture or solution suitable for rectal instillation and comprises sodium thiosulfate, bismuth subgallate, vitamin E, and sodium cromolyn. In one embodiment, a therapeutic composition of the invention comprises, in a suppository form, butyrate, and glutathione monoester, glutathione diethylester or other glutathione ester derivatives. The suppository can optionally include sodium thiosulfate and/or vitamin-E.

The subject invention concerns methods for preventing and/or treating diseases that are caused or exacerbated by oxidative stress or that are caused by or exacerbated by a compromised intracellular or extracellular reducing environment. One embodiment of the subject invention concerns methods of preventing and/or treating a person or animal having an inflammatory bowel disorder, such as, for example, ulcerative colitis. The subject invention also concerns methods for preventing and/or treating radiation induced proctitis that can result from radiation treatment of prostate cancer and other disease conditions. Other disease conditions that can be prevented and/or treated using methods and compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Parkinson's disease, cataracts, cerebral palsy, and gastrointestinal cancers, such as stomach and colon cancers. Compositions of the present invention can also be used to treat or prevent pouchitis after a colectomy. Pouchitis is an inflammation of the “J” pouch that is surgically constructed from the last foot of small intestine after the colon is taken out. The last six inches of small intestine is bent up and sewn back onto the small intestine. The hole is made at the bend of the “J” and that is connected to the anus. The purpose is to have a reservoir for stool to avoid the external bag.

The small intestine is more permeable to luminal contents and having stool stored in it in that fashion can lead to inflammation due to the increased bacterial load and increased oxidative stress. Compositions formulated for administration as an enema or oral administration can be used to treat or prevent pouchitis.

The subject invention also concerns methods for treating hemorrhoids. In one embodiment, a liquid enema formulation of the invention is applied directly to the hemorrhoid. In a specific embodiment, a liquid enema formulation of the invention is placed on a suitable material such as gauze or an absorbent pad and the enema containing material is contacted with the hemorrhoid, typically for about 2 to 4 hours. This application is typically performed once or twice daily.

In one embodiment of the subject methods, a person or animal in need of treatment is administered an effective amount of a therapeutic composition of the present invention in a biologically compatible form or composition. For preventative therapy, an effective amount of a therapeutic composition of the invention is administered to a person or animal prior to onset of the condition to be treated. For example, an effective amount of a therapeutic composition of the invention is administered prior to radiation treatment of prostate cancer in order to prevent radiation induced proctitis. In an exemplified embodiment, the reducing agent of the composition is ALA and/or dihydro lipoic acid and/or pyruvate and/or 5-ASA and/or a thiosulfate salt such as, for example, sodium thiosulfate. In one embodiment, the therapeutic composition is administered rectally or by delayed dissolving oral capsule. Delayed dissolution dosage forms include pH-dependent capsules and coatings that only dissolve at the pH associated with the colonic environment. Examples of pH-dependent materials include, but are not limited to, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid and/or ethyl acrylate polymers, including for example, ammonio methacrylate copolymer. Other dosage forms for delivery of a composition of the invention to the colon include, for example, time-dependent delivery systems, pressure-dependent delivery systems, bacterial-dependent systems (Basit et al., 2003). Also contemplated are dosage forms that utilize oxidation potential-dependent systems. Colon content has a much higher oxidative potential than the small intestinal contents since many times more bacteria are present in the colon. An oxidation potential-dependent system is a delivery system that is sensitive to oxidation potential and releases its contents or becomes active when the capsule is exposed to the higher oxidation level in the colon. This can be in the form of a prodrug which is degraded to the active drug when oxidized and capsules which dissolve when exposed to the high level of oxidation in the colon. In one embodiment, a combination of rectally and orally administered compositions are given to a patient, particularly if the patient has rectal bleeding. After bleeding is controlled, rectal therapy can optionally be discontinued and oral therapy maintained as necessary. Thiosulfates, such as sodium thiosulfate can optionally be administered in a solution intravenously, e.g., solutions of from about 10% to about 25% (w/v) sodium thiosulfate can be given. Methods of the present invention also contemplate institution of lifestyle changes of the patient, as described herein, either alone or in conjunction with the use of therapeutic compositions of the invention.

Dosage ranges for the various compounds to be administered to an individual patient can be determined by an ordinarily skilled clinician. Examples of dosage ranges provided herein are for guidance and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in regard to dosages that can be administered. Dosage ranges can be, for example:

-   -   sodium thiosulfate: 150-250 mg/kg body weight     -   alpha lipoic acid 10-20 mg/kg body weight     -   dihydro lipoic acid 10-20 mg/kg body weight     -   pyruvate 50-100 mg/kg body weight     -   bismuth subgallate: 2-4 mg/kg body weight     -   vitamin E: 25-30 IU/kg body weight     -   cromolyn sodium: 1-3 mg/kg body weight

In one embodiment, the components sodium thiosulfate, bismuth subgallate, vitamin E, and cromolyn sodium can be prepared in a retention enema in sterile water according to the following:

-   -   Step 1: Dissolve sodium thiosulfate in water by gently shaking         until all crystals are dissolved.     -   Step 2: Add cromolyn sodium until completely dissolved.     -   Step 3: Add bismuth subgallate and gently shake until completely         suspended.     -   Step 4: Add vitamin E and shake until suspended.

The methods of the present invention also include oral administration of a drug that lowers endogenous catecholamines, such as clonidine, where such treatment is indicated by the symptoms and risk factors presented by the patient. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors that inhibit or prevent mitochondrial MAO from metabolizing endogenous catecholamines can also be administered as part of a patient treatment regimen and is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the MAO inhibitor is one that does not pass through the blood-brain barrier. In one embodiment of the invention, a combination of clonidine (or a similar drug) and an MAO inhibitor is administered to a patient.

Also contemplated within the scope of the invention is the administration of NADPH-oxidase inhibitors, such as Trental (pentoxifylline) and apocynin; these can be administered as a delayed dissolving oral capsule that dissolves in the colon, or as a rectal solution. Pentoxifylline has anti-inflammatory activity and may function as a purinergic agonist via an adenosine receptor on the surface of the infiltrating neutrophil which can inhibit NADPH oxidase and apoptosis. This oral therapy can be continued, along with lifestyle changes, as maintenance therapy to prevent re-induction and relapse.

In one embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises a reducing agent and an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is a thiosulfate salt, such as sodium thiosulfate, and/or 5-ASA and/or ALA and/or dihydro lipoic acid and/or pyruvate, and the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor is apocynin. In one embodiment, the composition is provided in an orally administered form, such as a capsule, that dissolves in a subject's stomach and/or small intestine. In another embodiment, the composition is provided in an orally administered capsule that delays dissolving until it is present in the colon. Delayed dissolution dosage forms include pH-dependent capsules and coatings that only dissolve at the pH associated with the colonic environment. Examples of pH-dependent materials include, but are not limited to, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid and/or ethyl acrylate polymers, including for example, ammonio methacrylate copolymer. Other dosage forms for delivery of a composition of the invention to the colon include, for example, time-dependent delivery systems, pressure-dependent delivery systems, bacterial-dependent systems (Basit et al., 2003). Also contemplated are dosage forms that utilize oxidation potential-dependent systems.

Another aspect of the subject invention concerns compositions formulated for administration as an enema. An enema formulation of the invention comprises a reducing agent (or any other agent having a similar mode of action) and a steroid. In one embodiment, an enema formulation of the invention comprises an aminosalicylic acid, such as 5-ASA (5-aminosalicylic acid; also known as mesalamine), or 4-ASA (4-aminosalicylic acid), or any analog or derivative of a salicylic acid, and a steroid compound. In another embodiment, the composition comprises sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) as the reducing agent. Steroid compounds contemplated within the scope of the invention include corticosteroids. In an exemplified embodiment, the steroid comprises budesonide, or an analog or derivative thereof. In a specific embodiment, a composition suitable for administration as an enema comprises an effective amount of 5-ASA and budesonide. In another specific embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises 5-ASA and a hydrocortisone compound, such as CORTENEMA. Other corticosteroids that can be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, prednisone, prednisolone, betamethasone, beclometasone, and tixocortol. The enema formulation can optionally comprise polysorbate-80 (or any other suitable emulsifying agent), and/or any short chain fatty acid (e.g., a five, four, three, or two carbon fatty acid) as a colonic epithelial energy source, such as sodium butyrate (4 carbons), proprionate (3 carbons), acetate (2 carbons), etc., and/or any mast cell stabilizer, such as cromolyn sodium (GASTROCROM) or Nedocromil sodium (ALOCRIL). In a further embodiment, an enema formulation of the invention can comprise ALA. In one embodiment, the ALA is provided as a racemic mixture of the R and L isomers of ALA. In another embodiment, the ALA is provided as R-alpha-lipoic acid. In another embodiment, the ALA is provided as R-dihydro lipoic acid. In one embodiment, an enema formulation of the invention comprises an effective amount of 5-ASA, budesonide, sodium butyrate, cromolyn sodium, and optionally an alpha-lipoic acid, such as R-dihydro lipoic acid.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 200 mg to about 3000 mg, or about 500 mg to about 1,500 mg of 5-ASA, or from about 750 mg to about 1,250 mg of 5-ASA. In a specific embodiment, the composition comprises about 1,150 mg of 5-ASA. In another embodiment, the composition comprises about 2,600 mg of 5-ASA. In one embodiment, 5-ASA is applied at 30-40 mg/kg body weight. The composition can also comprise from about 1 mg to about 10 mg of budesonide or hydrocortisone or about 8 mg of hydrocortisone, or from about 2.5 mg to about 7.5 mg of budesonide or hydrocortisone or about 8 mg of hydrocortisone. In a specific embodiment, the composition comprises about 5 mg of budesonide. In one embodiment, budesonide is applied at 0.05-0.15 mg/kg body weight. If the composition comprises cromolyn sodium it can be present in an amount from about 10 mg to about 200 mg, or from about 20 mg to about 100 mg, or from about 30 mg to about 70 mg. In a specific embodiment, cromolyn sodium is provided in an amount of about 40 mg. In another embodiment, the cromolyn sodium is provided in an amount of about 100 mg. If the composition comprises polysorbate-80, it can be provided at a concentration from about 1% (v/v) to about 10% (v/v). If the composition comprises sodium butyrate it can be present in an amount of about 500 to about 1500 mg. In one embodiment, sodium butyrate is applied at 4-6 mM/kg body weight. In a specific embodiment, polysorbate-80 is provided in the composition at a concentration of about 6% (v/v). In an exemplified embodiment, a composition suitable for administration as an enema is formulated as follows: 17 cc of 5-ASA (about 1,150 mg of 5-ASA), 1 cc of budesonide (at 5 mg per cc), 2 cc of cromolyn sodium (at 20 mg per cc), and polysorbate-80 at 6% (v/v). In another specific embodiment, a composition comprises 10 cc of hydrocortisone (16.6 mg total), 30 cc of 5-ASA (2 gm total), and optionally alpha-lipoic acid and/or L-glutamine and/or N-acetyl cysteine and/or 5 cc cromolyn sodium (100 mg), and/or 12.5 cc sodium butyrate (1.1 gm).

In a specific embodiment, an enema formulation of the invention comprises 5-ASA, budesonide, cromolyn sodium, and sodium butyrate. The formulation can comprise, for example, about 1 to 5 grams of 5-ASA; about 1 to 10 mg of budesonide; about 10 to 1000 mg of cromolyn sodium; and about 5 to 50 millimoles of sodium butyrate. In a more specific formulation, the enema can be prepared to comprise about 2.7 grams of 5-ASA (40 cc of a 60 cc bottle of 5-ASA containing 4 grams of 5-ASA in the 60 cc); about 5 mg budesonide (in 1 cc); about 100 mg cromolyn sodium (in 5 cc); and about 15 millimoles of sodium butyrate (15 cc of a 1 molar solution of sodium butyrate in water).

Enema compositions of the invention can be administered to a patient on dosage and schedule as determined by a clinician. In one embodiment, an enema of the invention can be administered daily. Optionally, it can be alternated every other day with an enema that contains the reducing agent, e.g., 5-ASA, and optionally the cromolyn sodium and/or polysorbate-80 but without the steroid. In one embodiment, a patient is given an enema of the invention daily for approximately a month. Optionally, in the second month of treatment, the amount of steroid in the enema is reduced over time; for example, the steroid can be reduced over four weeks of treatment until no steroid is administered in the enema (e.g., at the start of the third month of treatment). In the third month of treatment, an enema of the invention to be administered daily to a patient may comprise the reducing agent (e.g., 5-ASA), and a short chain fatty acid (e.g., sodium butyrate) but omitting the steroid. In a fourth month of treatment, an enema of the invention to be administered daily to the patient may comprise the reducing agent but omit the short chain fatty acid and the steroid. In a fifth month of treatment, a patient may receive the same enema as in the fourth month but every other day or, optionally, on an as needed basis.

The subject invention also concerns compositions formulated for oral administration. These oral compositions can be administered as a separate treatment or in conjunction with enema formulations of the invention. In one embodiment, compositions of the invention are administered orally during enema treatment, and continue after cessation of enema treatment. In one embodiment, a composition comprises an oral reducing agent such as an alpha-lipoic acid or any oral agent which directly, or indirectly through an intermediary mechanism, acts as an intracellular or extracellular reducing agent and neutralizes or otherwise prevents the formation of intra or extracellular hydrogen peroxide or oxygen radicals. Other oral reducing agents contemplated within the scope of the invention include, but are not limited to, sodium thiosulfate, mercaptopropionylglycine, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, melatonin, CoQ 10, Ebselen, and an aminosalicylic acid such as 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). 5-ASA is also available as an oral formulation (in addition to an enema formulation) (including, for example, Azulfidine, Asacol, Dipentum, mesalamine, Balsalazide, Olsalazine) and is capable of neutralizing extracellular peroxide and oxygen radicals. The alpha-lipoic acid can be racemic alpha-lipoic acid, R-lipoic acid, R-dihydro-lipoic acid, L-lipoic acid, and/or L-dihydro-lipoic acid. In one embodiment, the apha-lipoic acid is administered at 5-10 mg/kg. In a specific embodiment, about 100 mg to 1000 mg or more of alpha-lipoic acid, preferably as the R-dihydro-lipoic acid, is orally administered daily to a patient. In a more specific embodiment, about 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid, preferably as the R-dihydro-lipoic acid, is orally administered daily to a patient; optionally, the patient can receive about 300 mg of the alpha-lipoic acid, preferably as the R-dihydro-lipoic acid, twice daily.

In one embodiment, an oral composition of the invention comprises alpha-lipoic acid, and/or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (N-A-C), and/or L-glutamine. A composition of the present invention can also comprise compounds that inhibit tissue necrosis factor (TNF). TNF inhibitory compounds contemplated within the scope of the invention include resveratrol, stinging nettle leaf extract, and berberine. A composition of the present invention can also optionally include compounds that directly neutralize H₂O₂ (e.g., calcium pyruvate), compounds that help protect the proteins from oxidation and degradation (e.g., L-carnosine), and/or compounds that are protective of nucleic acids (e.g., calcium D-glucarate). The composition can also optionally comprise one or more of the following: selenium, vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), vitamin B-12, folic acid, and biotin. In a specific embodiment, a composition of the invention comprises 300 mg of R-dihydro-lipoic acid, 500 mg N-A-C, 500 mg L-glutamine, 200 μg selenium, 100 mg vitamin B-2, 500 μg vitamin B-12, 800 μg folic acid, 2,000 μg biotin, 1,500 mg calcium pyruvate, 150 mg resveratrol, 275 mg stinging nettle leaf extract, and 200 mg raw stinging nettle leaf powder, berberine in the form of golden seal root complex 150 mg and golden seal powder 300 mg, 1,000 mg L-carnosine, and 250 mg calcium D-glucarate.

In one embodiment, the composition is provided in an orally administered form, such as a capsule, that dissolves in a subject's stomach and/or small intestine. In another embodiment, the composition is provided in an orally administered capsule that delays dissolving until it is present in the colon. Delayed dissolution dosage forms include pH-dependent capsules and coatings that only dissolve at the pH associated with the colonic environment. Examples of pH-dependent materials include, but are not limited to, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid and/or ethyl acrylate polymers, including for example, ammonio methacrylate copolymer. Other dosage forms for delivery of a composition of the invention to the colon include, for example, time-dependent delivery systems, pressure-dependent delivery systems, bacterial-dependent systems (Basit et al., 2003). Also contemplated are dosage forms that utilize oxidation potential-dependent systems.

The enema compositions and the oral compositions of the invention can be administered in conjunction with changes in a patient's diet. Dietary changes contemplated within the scope of the present invention include increased consumption of mineral oil, insoluble fiber, soluble fiber, prune juice, and VSL#3. It is preferable that alcohol be avoided in the diet of the patient being treated.

The methods and compositions of the present invention can be used with humans and other animals. Compositions of the present invention can be administered to an animal in need of treatment as described herein, i.e., orally, and/or as an enema, etc. The other animals contemplated within the scope of the invention include domesticated, agricultural, or zoo- or circus-maintained animals. Domesticated animals include, for example, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, pigs, monkeys or other primates, and gerbils. Agricultural animals include, for example, horses, mules, donkeys, burros, cattle, cows, pigs, sheep, and alligators. Zoo- or circus-maintained animals include, for example, lions, tigers, bears, camels, giraffes, hippopotamuses, and rhinoceroses.

As noted above, the oral and enema compositions of the invention can be administered independently or in conjunction together to a person or animal in need of treatment. Thus, in one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises administering an effective amount of only an oral composition of the invention, or an effective amount of only an enema composition of the invention, or an effective amount of both an oral and an enema composition of the invention to a person or animal in need of treatment. In one embodiment, an effective amount of an oral composition comprising an ALA (such as R-dihydro-lipoic acid) and an effective amount of an enema composition comprising an aminosalicylic acid (such as 5-ASA), and/or any suitable steroid (such as budesonide), and/or any mast cell stabilizer (such as cromolyn sodium), and/or any short chain fatty acid (such as sodium butyrate), and optionally an emulsifying agent (such as polysorbate-80), are administered to the person or animal. The oral and enema compositions can be administered daily, or every other day or every other two days, or every other three days, etc., or weekly, or on any other schedule as determined to be appropriate by the ordinarily skilled artisan. The oral and enema compositions can be administered on alternate days, e.g., oral on day one, enema on day two, etc. In one embodiment, the oral composition is administered every day, and the enema composition is administered every other day, or every two days, or every three days, or every four days, or every five days, or every six days, or once a week, etc. The oral and enema compositions can also be administered independently one or more times (e.g., two times, three times, etc.) per day.

Compounds useful in the subject invention can be formulated according to known methods for preparing pharmaceutically useful compositions. Formulations are described in detail in a number of sources which are well known and readily available to those skilled in the art. For example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Science by E. W. Martin describes formulations which can be used in connection with the subject invention. In general, the compositions of the subject invention will be formulated such that an effective amount of the compound is combined with a suitable carrier in order to facilitate effective administration of the composition. The compositions used in the present methods can also be in a variety of forms. These include, for example, solid, semi-solid, and liquid dosage forms, such as tablets, pills, powders, liquid solutions or suspension, suppositories, injectable and infusible solutions, and sprays. The preferred form depends on the intended mode of administration and therapeutic application. The compositions also preferably include conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and diluents which are known to those skilled in the art. Examples of carriers or diluents for use with compounds include ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, alumina, starch, and equivalent carriers and diluents. To provide for the administration of such dosages for the desired therapeutic treatment, new pharmaceutical compositions of the invention will advantageously comprise between about 0.1% and 45%, and especially, about 1 and 15% by weight of the total of one or more of the compounds based on the weight of the total composition including carrier or diluent.

The subject invention also concerns dosage forms of the compounds and compositions of the invention. In one embodiment, compounds and compositions are provided in orally or rectally administered dosage forms. A dosage form for oral administration comprising a capsule that dissolves in the colon and containing an effective amount of i) a reducing agent, for example, 5-ASA and/or sodium thiosulfate and/or APA and/or dihydro lipoic acid and/or pyruvate and/or an alpha-lipoic acid, and optionally ii) an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor, for example, apocynin, is specifically contemplated in the present invention. Delayed dissolution dosage forms include pH-dependent capsules and coatings that only dissolve at the pH associated with the colonic environment. Examples of pH-dependent materials include, but are not limited to, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid and/or ethyl acrylate polymers, including for example, ammonio methacrylate copolymer. Other dosage forms for delivery of a composition of the invention to the colon include, for example, time-dependent delivery systems, pressure-dependent delivery systems, bacterial-dependent systems (Basit et al., 2003). Also contemplated are dosage forms that utilize oxidation potential-dependent systems.

The compounds of the subject invention can also be administered utilizing liposome technology, slow release capsules, implantable pumps, biodegradable containers and other means known in the art. These delivery vehicles and methods can, advantageously, provide a uniform dosage over an extended period of time.

The subject invention also concerns containers comprising a therapeutic composition of the present invention. The containers can be selected for ease of storage and/or administration of a composition to a person or animal, e.g., a container can be one suitable for use in rectal administration of a therapeutic composition. The containers can be composed of any suitable material, including glass, plastic, etc. and can be disposable and/or recyclable. Therapeutic compositions of the present invention are preferably provided as a sterile composition in a sterile container. The subject invention also concerns kits comprising, in one or more containers, a therapeutic composition or compound of the invention. In one embodiment, a kit of the invention comprises, in one or more containers, a reducing agent, and/or an aminosalicylic acid, and/or a steroid, and/or a short chain fatty acid, and/or an emulsifying agent, and/or an antibacterial and/or antiadherence agent, and/or a viscosity enhancing and/or lipid peroxidation inhibitor, and/or a mast cell inhibitor and/or a mast cell stabilizer, and/or an agent that repairs, seals, or regenerates tight junctions between cells, e.g., an epidermal growth factor (EGF). In an exemplified embodiment, the kit comprises the compounds sodium thiosulfate, bismuth subgallate, vitamin E, and sodium cromolyn. In another embodiment, a kit comprises 5-ASA, budesonide, cromolyn sodium, and sodium butyrate. The compounds of the invention can be provided in a kit in a single pre-mixed dosage form, or in individual dosage units that are mixed together prior to administration, or that are administered individually. In one embodiment, a kit of the invention comprises compounds of an enema formulation of the invention and materials or articles for effecting administration of an enema.

The subject invention also concerns methods for screening for, assessing risk of developing, and/or diagnosing conditions associated with oxidative stress, such as ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel disorders, and Parkinson's disease. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises screening a person or animal for the presence of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in genes that code for enzymes in the antioxidant network of enzymes that help maintain intracellular redox buffering capacity of cells, wherein the SNP(s) results in a mutation that affects proper expression of the gene or gene product or that results in a mutation that decreases or eliminates activity of the enzyme. Standard methods and materials for screening for SNPs are known in the art. Enzymes included within the scope of the invention include, but are not limited to, glutathione-cysteine ligase, glutathione synthetase, glutathione disulfide reductase, glutathione peroxidase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises screening for or identifying in a person or animal any gene encoding for the glutamate-cysteine ligase enzyme (EC 6.3.2.2) or glutathione synthetase enzyme (EC 6.3.2.3) which contains an SNP that results in decreased enzymatic activity resulting in a diminished synthesis of glutathione. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises screening for or identifying in a person or animal any gene encoding for the glutathione-disulfide reductase (EC 1.8.1.7) enzyme which contains an SNP that results in decreased enzymatic activity resulting in a diminished synthesis of NADPH. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises screening for or identifying in a person or animal any gene encoding for the glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) enzyme which contains an SNP that results in decreased enzymatic activity resulting in a diminished neutralization of hydrogen peroxide. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises screening for or identifying in a person or animal any gene encoding for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.20) enzyme that results in inhibition of glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9). In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises screening for or identifying in a person or animal for the malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) or phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme (EC 1.1.1.44) which contains an SNP that results in decreased enzymatic activity resulting in a diminished synthesis of NADPH. Known SNPs for genes can be searched and identified at the website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=DisplayFiltered&DB=snp.

The subject invention also concerns methods for detecting and diagnosing ulcerative colitis, and diagnostic kits for the same. Any means for detecting or measuring a physiological parameter associated with the induction phase or the propagation phase of ulcerative colitis as described herein is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, rectal tissue is screened for the presence of increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, decreased levels of glutathione, or both. Techniques and materials for detecting or quantitating hydrogen peroxide and glutathione are known in the art. In another embodiment, colonic tissue is screened for the infiltration of activated neutrophils and/or the presence of neutrophil-derived cytokines or products of lipid peroxidation. Techniques and materials for detecting or quantitating activated neutrophils and neutrophil-derived cytokines are known in the art. Assays of the invention can optionally include controls, both positive and negative, and/or other standards (e.g., normal rectal tissue or cells; standard or normal concentration of hydrogen peroxide; standard or normal concentration of glutathione, etc.) for evaluation with the results of a tested sample. Assays screening for multiple physiological parameters associated with ulcerative colitis are included within the scope of the present invention. Tissue to be used for the assays of the present invention can be local (e.g., rectal tissue) or systemic (e.g., blood, lymph, etc.). The diagnostic assays of the invention can be invasive or non-invasive. The diagnostic assays can provide evidence of oxidative risk (risk of entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis), of oxidative stress (in the induction phase), and of oxidative damage (pre-propagation phase).

The subject invention also concerns a method for assessing an individual's risk of developing ulcerative colitis or determining what stage of the disease the patient is in. The method comprises assaying for H₂O₂, glutathione, and exposure time parameters, and then determining an individual's oxidative risk (R_(ox)) index based upon the following formula:

R _(ox)=(H₂O₂ level)(tissue exposure time)/(glutathione level)

wherein H₂O₂ level—Refers to colonic epithelial H₂O₂ level which may be determined directly or indirectly. Tissue exposure time—Determined by the colonic epithelial turnover rate. This is the time epithelial cells are exposed to damaging oxygen radicals including H₂O₂. Glutathione level—Refers to the amount of cytoprotective intracellular glutathione available to colonic epithelial cells to neutralize hydrogen peroxide. R_(ox)—A global measure of the oxidative stress level a tissue or organism is subjected to. The higher the R_(ox) the greater the risk of developing oxidative medicated tissue damage such as ulcerative colitis.

Assays for determining each of the parameters of the formula are described herein. The R_(ox) value can be used to assess whether an individual is 1) at risk of entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis, 2) is in the induction phase of ulcerative colitis, or 3) is at risk of entering the propagation phase of ulcerative colitis.

Assays Related to Levels of H₂O₂ Include:

1. Tests that directly or indirectly measure intracellular or extracellular colonic hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical or hydroxide ion. Hydrogen peroxide can be assayed in the feces, in rectal biopsy tissue, urine, and the blood. Hydrogen peroxide is the final common pathway for the formation of all hydroxyl (and hydroxide) which are the elements that cause tissue damage. The hydrogen peroxide level is a direct indicator of the potential for oxidative tissue damage. Thus, any condition that increases H₂O₂ will increase the R_(ox).

2. Tests that directly or indirectly measure the activity of colonic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme. GPx is the major enzyme that degrades hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide will increase with decreased GPx activity.

3. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell lipid membrane peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation in ulcerative colitis is caused by the effect of hydroxyl radical on the colonic epithelial cell.

4. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell proliferation. Hydrogen peroxide induces colonic epithelial cells to multiply. This is manifested by the presence of Melanosis Coli which is a dark lipid pigment which accumulates in cells that are rapidly dividing. It looks like black spots on the colonic mucosa. Thus, assays that measure melanosis coli are contemplated by the invention.

5. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell nuclear DNA oxidation (e.g., 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)). Hydrogen peroxide can also diffuse into the nucleus and oxidize the DNA. These oxidation products can be measured and provide an estimate of oxidative stress.

6. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell mitochondrial DNA damage. Hydrogen peroxide is produced in the mitochondria and will damage mitochondrial DNA before any other structure.

7. Tests that directly or indirectly measure protein carbonyl groups since hydrogen peroxide can oxidize proteins. Also, tight junction protein remnants would be found in feces if oxidized and damaged. The tight junctions and intracellular enzymes are made of proteins.

8. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell superoxide levels. Superoxide is the immediate precursor of hydrogen peroxide. If superoxide is elevated then hydrogen peroxide will be elevated.

9. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell superoxide dismutase activity. Superoxide dismutase is the enzyme that converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide. If its activity is increased then hydrogen peroxide will increase.

10. Tests that directly or indirectly measure electron transport activity. Electron transport activity is responsible for hydrogen peroxide production. If electron transport activity could be measured this would be an indirect reflection of hydrogen peroxide production. Electron transport activity is mainly responsible for an individual's basal metabolic rate (BMR). When metabolism is increased the electron transport activity is increased and more hydrogen peroxide is produced.

11. Tests that directly or indirectly measure colonic epithelial cell apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide causes single cell death called apoptosis. These cells would slough off into the feces. In one embodiment, apoptosis is measured from fecal samples or colonic biopsies.

Assays Related to Time of Exposure:

1. The turnover of colonic epithelial cells is about 3 days. This can be accelerated by epidermal growth factor. Any condition that decreases EGF or its receptors on the colonic epithelial cells will increase colonic epithelial exposure and R_(ox). Both EGF and its receptors are decreased in the elderly. There is also an increase in ulcerative colitis in people 60 and older. Thus, the measurement of levels of EGF and its receptors is a useful diagnostic indicator of R_(ox).

Assays Related to Glutathione Levels Include:

1. Tests that directly or indirectly measure levels of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) in blood, colonic tissue or feces. When GSH is decreased, hydrogen peroxide will go un-neutralized and will increase. Only the reduced form of glutathione can neutralize hydrogen peroxide.

2. Tests that directly or indirectly measure the oxidized form of glutathione in blood, colonic tissue or feces. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) is produced after hydrogen peroxide is neutralized. If there is too much hydrogen peroxide to eliminate, GSSG will increase.

3. Tests that directly or indirectly measure glutathione reductase levels. Glutathione reductase is an enzyme necessary to convert oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to the reduced form (GSH). If the activity of this enzyme is decreased, then hydrogen peroxide will increase causing an increased R_(ox).

4. Tests that directly or indirectly measure NADPH levels. NADPH is the critical reducing agent that donates electrons to (GSSG) so it can be regenerated back to GSH (reduced glutathione). If NADPH is decreased, then hydrogen peroxide will increase.

5. Tests that directly or indirectly measure G-6-PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), H-6-PD (hexose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and/or 6-PGD (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity. Almost all the NADPH needed to regenerate oxidized glutathione (GSSG) back to the useful reduced form (GSH) necessary to neutralize hydrogen peroxide is produced by one biochemical pathway, the phosphate pentose pathway (PPP) (formally known as the hexose monophosphate shunt). Within the PPP two dehydrogenase enzymes are exclusively responsible for the production of all the NADPH generated. These are G-6-PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-PGD (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.1.44). Genetic deficiency of G-6-PD (the ‘G’ form) has been described and will cause hemolysis of red blood cells which lack a normally occurring back-up enzyme known as H-6-PD (hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the “H” form) present in other cells of the body. Presence of the both the G and H forms allows the PPP to produce a normal amount of NADPH providing there is normal activity of the second NADPH producing enzyme, 6-PGD. However, 6-PGD (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) does not have an effective back up and can be present in a polymorphic form with decreased activity of up to 50%. This could theoretically decrease total colonic epithelial NADPH by as much as 25%. Decreased NADPH will allow hydrogen peroxide to increase elevating the R_(ox) predisposing the colon to oxidative injury.

6. Tests that directly or indirectly measure butyrate levels. If colonic epithelial butyrate levels are low, then glutathione will be decreased. This will cause hydrogen peroxide to increase.

7. Tests that directly or indirectly measure the levels of glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid. If any of the three amino acids necessary for glutathione production (glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid) are low, then less GSH will be produced and hydrogen peroxide will increase.

Factors associated with increased and decreased risk of inflammatory bowl diseases have been identified. Factors that increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowl diseases include stress, alcohol consumption, diet and xenobiotic metabolism. Thus, the subject methods also include modification of patient behavior, either alone or in combination with the administration of a therapeutic composition of the invention.

Positive Risk Factors (Increased Risk of Induction):

Rectum:

The greatest risk factor for ulcerative colitis is the presence of a rectum. Within this area of the colon a junction of physiological parameters converge to increase the potential for H₂O₂ generation and oxidative tissue damage (induction). Studies have shown that the reducing power (antioxidant capacity) and GSH synthetic rate of the rat intestine decreases distally, reaching its lowest level in distal colon when compared to the proximal small intestine (Blau, 1999). The reducing power of the human gastrointestinal tract likewise decreases from stomach to colon (Roediger and Babige, 1997). The reducing power of the human colon is significantly decreased when compared to the liver with levels of major antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) being 4, 8, and 40% of hepatic values respectively (Grisham et al., 1990). However, rectal epithelial cells have the same complement of enzymes, i.e., cytochrome oxidase, xanthine oxidase, etc., as the liver for use in metabolism of foreign substances including alcohol and xenobiotics (Roediger and Babige, 1997). One by-product of this metabolism is hydrogen peroxide that the rectal epithelium is ill equipped to deal with if produced in excess. Un-neutralized excess H₂O₂ may diffuse to the extracellular space and induce oxidative damage to the colonic epithelial barrier thereby increasing its permeability to luminal bacterial antigens. Any substance found in the body which, through its metabolism, can give rise to hydrogen peroxide in rectal epithelial cells is a positive risk factor for ulcerative colitis induction.

The bacterial concentration within the colon increases distally from 10³ cfu/gram of fecal material in the cecum to 10¹³ cfu/gram in the rectum. The greatly increased concentration of, predominantly, mucosal adherent anaerobic bacteria significantly increases the likelihood of antigenic exposure in the event of a barrier breakdown. Any condition which slows colonic fecal transport allows bacteria more time to multiply. This increase in intra luminal bacterial concentration is a positive risk factor for ulcerative colitis induction. High concentrations of bacteria also increase the likelihood of horizontal transmission of genetic material including antibiotic resistance and virulence factors.

Fecal material also generates a large amount of oxygen radicals, in part due to the high concentration of bacteria in addition to the fecal matrix and other luminal substances including xenobiotics, toxins and bile acids (Owen et al., 2000, Harris et al., 1992). The increased concentration of these radicals found in the rectum, a fecal reservoir, can also contribute to colonic barrier dissolution and epithelial oxidative damage. Therefore, any condition which increases colonic bacterial concentration or metabolism will increase the production of luminal oxygen radicals and is a positive risk factor for ulcerative colitis induction.

Rectal epithelial cells also possess an electron transport chain which may become a source of excess H₂O₂ if subjected to hypoxia and sudden re-oxygenation (Li and Jackson, 2002). During the time the rectum is housing feces and until they are expelled the rectal wall is subjected to lateral pressure which can compress delicate sub-mucosal blood vessels. During this time the rectal epithelial cells are exposed to a relative hypoxia which is suddenly followed by swift reperfusion as the fecal material is expelled. This process of hypoxia and re-oxygenation increases the activity of the electron transport chain resulting in increased production of hydrogen peroxide. Any condition that induces or increases constipation significantly magnifies this effect and is a risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. Approximately 10 to 16% of ulcerative colitis patients have fecal stasis and investigators have observed that slow colonic transit may predispose to ulcerative proctitis (Allison and Vallance, 1991; Black et al., 1987).

Another contributing factor to the production of hydrogen peroxide during hypoxia and re-oxygenation is the effect of xanthine oxidase (Granger and Parks, 1983; Parks et al., 1984; Parks and Granger, 1986). Xanthine oxidase catalyzes the conversion of hypoxanthine to uric acid and in the process reduces molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. During hypoxia xanthine oxidase activity is significantly reduced due to unavailability of oxygen needed as an electron accepting co-factor for the enzymatic conversion (oxidation) of hypoxanthine to uric acid. When oxygen is reintroduced an increased substrate load leads to increased hypoxanthine metabolism and hydrogen peroxide production. Constipation and straining during defecation, by increasing colonic intraluminal pressure, will enhance the effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation upon the xanthine oxidase enzyme system, increasing its activity and output of H₂O₂ which increases the risk of entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. Allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, can decrease the production of H₂O₂ by colonic epithelial cells under these conditions.

Stress:

Stress has several effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Sleep deprivation stress increases the bacterial translocation through the intestinal epithelium (Everson and Toth, 2000). Stress also activates intestinal mast cells with subsequent increase in permeability due to modulation of mucosal barrier function (Soderholm et al., 2002). Psychological and physical stress are reported to cause enterocyte physiology abnormalities, goblet cell dysfunction, increased mucosal bacterial adherence and increased intestinal permeability and secretion (Soderholm and Perdue, 2001).

Stress also increases the amount of circulating biogenic amines (catecholamines), such as serotonin, epinephrine, nor-epinephrine and dopamine (Lechin et al., 1996). Monoamine oxidase (EC#1.4.3.4), an enzyme present on the outer surface of mitochondria, catalyzes the oxidative deamination of both xenobiotic amines as well as the aforementioned catecholamine stress hormones and in the process reduces molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide (Cadenas and Davies, 2000). The reaction catalyzed is: RCH₂+H₂O+O₂→RCHO+NH₃+H₂O₂

Therefore, any condition of sustained stress can increase the concentration of circulating endogenous catecholamines and boost production of hydrogen peroxide by rectal epithelial cells. This is a positive risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. Likewise, measures aimed at reducing circulating endogenous catecholamine with reduced H₂O₂ production by colonic epithelial cells and decrease the risk of rectal epithelial barrier damage. Clonidine, a central alpha 2 agonist has been used successfully in this regard. Thus, the methods of the present invention also contemplate modification of patient behavior and/or physiology to reduce stress on the patient and/or the effects of stress on the patient.

Xenobiotics:

The majority of oxidation reactions of drugs and other xenobiotics are carried out by Cytochrome enzymes. One study reports 56% of over 300 drugs tested are metabolized via the Cytochrome p450 (CYP) family of oxygenase enzymes present in the endoplasmic reticulum (Bertz and Granneman, 1997). CYP is mostly found in the liver but is also present in the intestine. A typical CYP catalyzed reaction is:

NADPH+H⁺O₂+RH→NADP⁺H₂O+R—OH.

This reaction consumes NADPH which is also used in regeneration of reduced glutathione. Glutathione is the major antioxidant involved in the neutralization of intracellular hydrogen peroxide. Due to the extensive inter-individual polymorphism observed in the CYP enzyme system certain individuals may have greater activity then others and can metabolize xenobiotics at a faster rate consuming more NADPH in the process. These individuals are called fast metabolizers. Fast metabolizers are at a greater risk of entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis when exposed to certain drugs.

Alcohol:

After ingestion, alcohol is distributed to all cells of the body including the rectal epithelial cells. Alcohol is enzymatically converted to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase. The acetaldehyde is enzymatically converted to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. Both of these cytosolic enzymes utilize NAD⁺ to oxidize their respective substrates and generate NADH that normally serves as an electron donor to the electron transport chain. The increased availability of NADH can activate the electron transport chain and generate excess hydrogen peroxide (Hoek et al., 2002; Bailey, 1999).

Alcohol can also be metabolized in the endoplasmic reticulum by cytochrome p450 2E 1 which depletes NADPH needed for glutathione regeneration. Alcohol can therefore generate H₂O₂ and decrease production of glutathione needed for neutralization of hydrogen peroxide. High H₂O₂ and depleted glutathione increases the risk of entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

Alcohol inhibits glutathione peroxidase; a crucial enzyme that neutralizes H₂O₂, and depletes mitochondrial glutathione (Hoek et al., 2002). Glutathione is not synthesized within mitochondria and must be transported from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria through the mitochondrial membranes. Alcohol interferes with the active transport of glutathione into the mitochondria (Maher, 1997). This leads to mitochondrial depletion of glutathione and H₂O₂ accumulation. Depleted glutathione and increased H₂O₂ levels enhance the risk of entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. Thus, the methods of the invention contemplate modification of patient intake of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

Constipation:

Based on surveys of bowel habits constipation occurs in up to 20% of the population (Drossman et al., 1999; Everhart et al., 1987). Constipation is reported to occur in 27% of patients with ulcerative colitis (Rao, 1988). Constipation is a common but often an overlooked condition that can have a serious exacerbating impact on almost any disease especially ulcerative colitis. At the 13th International Congress of Gastroenterology in Rome, Italy in 1988 a group of physicians defined criteria to more accurately diagnose several different functional bowel disorders including constipation. Known as the “Rome Criteria,” this set of guidelines outlines symptoms and applies parameters such as frequency and duration in order to make possible a more accurate and standardized diagnosis of constipation. In 1999, a second set of updated guidelines, Rome II, was published (Drossman et al., 2000). The Rome II definition of functional constipation consists of the following parameters:

-   -   At least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the         preceding 12 months of two or more of:     -   1. Straining in over 25% of defecations;     -   2. Lumpy or hard stools in over 25% of defecations;     -   3. Sensation of incomplete evacuation in over 25% of         defecations;     -   4. Sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockade in over 25% of         defecations;     -   5. Manual maneuvers to facilitate over then 25% of defecations         (e.g. digital evacuation, support of pelvic floor) and/or     -   6. Less than 3 defecations per week.     -   Loose stools are not present, and there are insufficient         criteria for IBS.

As stated above, constipation is a significant exacerbating factor for ulcerative colitis. Twenty seven percent of individuals with ulcerative colitis have coexisting constipation. Constipation can contribute to the development of the induction phase of ulcerative colitis in several ways. Increased colonic transit time favors bacterial overgrowth which increases the antigenic stimulus once the colonic epithelial barrier is disrupted. Constipation also allows for greater contact time between fecal generated oxygen radicals and the colonic mucosa which may deplete the already low antioxidant stores of the epithelial lining.

Large accumulations of un-expelled rectal fecal material may increase lateral pressure on the rectal mucosa and collapse delicate sub mucosal capillary beds predisposing to a reoccurring perfusion-reperfusion oxidative insult to the colonic epithelium. Constipation will significantly decrease the amount of butyrate reaching the rectal epithelium due to proximal colonic absorption and further exacerbate oxidative injury due to glutathione depletion. Thus, the methods of the invention contemplate treatments and/or modification of patient diet to relieve and/or minimize constipation and to provide for regular bowel movement.

Diet:

Butyrate:

Dietary factors can contribute to induction of ulcerative colitis. The preferred energy source for colonic epithelial cells is a four chain fatty acid known as butyrate. It originates from two dietary sources. Most butyrate is derived from colonic bacterial fermentation of unabsorbed dietary fiber and is the single largest metabolite of dietary fiber. The second significant source dietary source is from butter which contains 3% butyrate. Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and is produced along with two other SCFAs (acetate and propionate) as a result of bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber (Topping and Clifton, 2001). Ninety-five percent of SCFAs are produced and absorbed in the colon. Fermentation and SCFA production are high in the proximal large bowel. During passage of the fecal stream, fermentation declines secondary to depletion of available substrate. By the time the fecal mass reaches the rectum less than 5% of bacterially derived SCFA are available for colonocyte uptake. Proximal colonic absorption is responsible for this significant decline.

SCFAs are the metabolized rapidly by colonocytes and are the major respiratory fuels supplying 70% of colonocytes energy needs (Topping and Clifton, 2001). Colonocytes prefer to use butyrate even when competing substrates such as glucose, glutamine and other SCFAs are present.

The distal colon and rectum are the regions of the large intestine with the most limited supply and slowest absorption of butyrate and is the site of most pathology including ulcerative colitis. When the amount of butyrate is insufficient to meet the energy needs of colonic epithelial cells an alternate source of energy is utilized and the colonic epithelial cells will switch to glucose and the amino acid glutamine.

Glutamine is synthesized from glutamic acid, its immediate precursor. Glutamic acid is also used to synthesize glutathione which is needed to neutralize hydrogen peroxide. If too much glutamic acid is diverted to the formation of glutamine as an energy source then less is available for colonic epithelial glutathione synthesis. This can result in a diminished intracellular glutathione concentration with a corresponding increase in hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, the lack of dietary fiber is a positive risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

On a wider scale, 90% of butyrate and other SCFAs are metabolized via beta-oxidation within mitochondria of colonocytes (10% within peroxisomes). Conditions that interfere with beta-oxidation will force the utilization of an alternate energy source such as glutamine. Beta-oxidation is decreased when sufficient substrate (i.e., butyrate) is unavailable to the rectal epithelial cells. Inadequate rectal luminal butyrate can occur with inadequate ingestion of fermentable dietary fiber or increased colonic transit time (constipation). Butyrate cannot be detected in feces at whole gut transit time exceeding 50 hours (Topping and Clifton, 2001).

Roediger and Nance report the induction of ulcerative colitis in rats after rectal instillation of a specific inhibitor of beta-oxidation (Roedinger, 1986). The authors conclude that “a suitable inhibitor of beta-oxidation would have unimpeded entry into mitochondria of colonic epithelial cells.” Hydrogen peroxide is permeable through biomembranes including the cell membrane and both the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to inhibit the beta-oxidation enzyme system of enzymes (Gulati et al., 1993). H₂O₂ produced as a consequence of neutrophil activation within colonic mucosa during active ulcerative colitis is therefore capable of diffusing back into colonic epithelial cells resulting in oxidative damage to intracellular proteins including enzymes of beta-oxidation. This would explain the abnormalities of butyrate metabolism during active ulcerative colitis which resolve during remission. Thus, the methods of the invention also contemplate modification of patient diet to provide for sufficient glutathione in colonic epithelial cells including, for example, providing for sufficient dietary fiber in a patient being treated or at risk for developing an inflammatory bowel disorder.

Fat:

High intakes of mono and poly unsaturated fat may enhance the risk of developing ulcerative colitis. The concentrations of lipid peroxides found in common foods cooked in oils or fats (hamburger, French fries) can produce mucosal oxidative stress and redox imbalance when in contact with intestinal mucosa (Aw, 1999). Rats fed high fat diets had seven fold greater intestinal production of superoxide when compared to controls. Intestinal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical was increased 3.5 fold. Intestinal mucosal DNA fragmentation was increased 2.4 times (Bagchi et al., 1998). Oxidative DNA damage suggests that there is a high cytoplasmic oxidative environment. The presence of high fat intake is a positive risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. Thus, the methods of the invention also contemplate modification of patient diet to decrease intake of fat.

Spices:

Spicy food was found to produce similar oxidative stress on intestinal mucosa as a high fat diet. Intestinal mucosal hydroxyl radical production in rats fed spicy foods was found to be 4.8 times normal, even greater than rats fed a high fat diet (Bagchi et al., 1998). Spicy food intake should be considered a positive risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

Meat:

A diet high in red meat (beef) has been reported to increase the intestinal Bacteroides population (Maier et al., 1974). This effect persisted for several weeks after terminating the high beef diet and while on a normal diet regimen. Bacteroides species have been implicated as the inciting antigenic agent in ulcerative colitis (above).

Vitamins and Minerals:

Folic Acid:

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (EC 1.5.1.20) is one of the main regulatory enzymes of homocysteine metabolism and plays a major role in the metabolism of folates (Friedman et al., 1999; Goyette et al., 1998). MTHFR is a cytoplasmic enzyme that catalyzes the NADPH-linked reduction of methylene-tetrahydrofolate to methyl-tetrahydrofolate. Methyl-tetrahydrofolate serves as the methyl donor for the methylation of homocysteine. Mutations in the gene coding for MTHFR have been found. This genetic mutation results in a cytosine to thymine transition at base position 677 which converts alanine to valine at amino acid position 222 (A222V). The polymorphic MTHFR enzyme (C677T) has significantly less activity than normal (35-50% of normal) resulting in an elevation of serum homocysteine levels (Goyette et al., 1998).

Mahmud et al. report that 17.5% of individuals with ulcerative colitis are homozygous for the C677T variant of the MTHFR gene versus 7.3% of controls (Mahmud et al., 1999).

Elevated homocysteine will increase hydrogen peroxide production by several mechanisms. H₂O₂ is generated during the oxidation of homocysteine to homocystine (Friedman et al., 1999; Upchurch, et al., 1997). Homocysteine also increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (Wilcken et al., 2000). SOD catalyzes the conversion of superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide. Increased activity of this enzyme will result in greater H₂O₂ generation. Homocysteine has been reported to inhibit glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (Upchurch et al., 1997) by 10 fold (Outinen et al., 1999). GPx is an essential enzyme system which neutralizes intracellular H₂O₂. Inactivation of GPx will increase H₂O₂ levels and inhibition of GPx was shown to occur at physiologic (9 micromol/L) concentrations of free homocysteine (Chen, 2000).

Biogeographically, the worldwide distribution of the C677T polymorphic variant also points to a role for the deleterious effects of this modified enzyme in the development of ulcerative colitis. The T allele was found to have a frequency of 40% in North America but was very low in Africa and Asia (The Metabolic and Molecular Basis of Inherited Disease, 2001, 8th ed., Chapter 155, Vol. 3, pp. 3897-3993). This parallels the incidence of ulcerative colitis which is more common in North America and less common in Asia and Africa (Whelan, 1990; Farrokhar et al., 2001).

The ethnic distribution of C677T also suggests a role in ulcerative colitis. Rady et al. found that the rate of C677T among Ashkenazi Jewish alleles was 47.7% compared to 28.7% among the non-Jewish population (Rady et al., 1999). Ulcerative colitis is also reported to be more common in the Jewish population (Roth et al., 1989; Karlinger, 2000).

In other words, this variant MTHFR enzyme can increase colonic epithelial intracellular hydrogen peroxide by increasing SOD levels, inactivating glutathione peroxidase, inhibition of glutathione synthesis and increasing production of homocysteine which generates H₂O₂ during its oxidation. The physiological effects of the C677T variant of MTHFR may contribute enough oxidative stress in the form of additional H₂O₂ to tip the balance towards entering the induction process of ulcerative colitis.

The oxidative phenotype associated with C677T may have enough penetrance to predispose certain ethic groups and geographical populations to manifest a higher incidence of ulcerative colitis. Therefore, the presence of this polymorphic MTHFR should be considered a positive risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

Additionally, the lack of normal folate metabolism may decrease availability of the essential amino acid methionine which is a precursor of the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is one of the three peptides needed to synthesize glutathione. Glycine, another component amino acid of glutathione, also requires folate for its synthesis. Folate deficiency or inhibition of folate metabolism may therefore directly interfere with adequate production of glutathione and contribute to increased intracellular oxidative stress via increased hydrogen peroxide levels.

Low serum level of multiple vitamins, including folate has been reported in association with ulcerative colitis (Fernandez-Banares et al., 1989; Elsborg and Larsen, 1979; Koutroubakis et al., 2000). This has been attributed to the effects of inadequate diet, intestinal malabsorption or drug induced (Elsborg and Larsen, 1979). Co-existing folate deficiency would tend to exacerbate the oxidative effects of MTHFR polymorphism as indicated above. In monkeys, experimentally induced folate deficiency leads to colonic ulcerations (Duncan, 1964).

Vitamin B-6:

High intakes of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) have been reported to enhance the risk of ulcerative colitis (Geerling et al., 2000). Vitamin B-6 is oxidized in the body by Pyridoxine 4-oxidase to pyridoxal via the reaction: Pyridoxine+O₂→pyridoxal+H₂O₂. This mainly occurs in the liver but can occur in other places such as the gastrointestinal tract. A toxic by-product of this reaction is hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, excessive pyridoxine is a positive risk factor for entering the initiation phase of ulcerative colitis.

Iron and Copper:

A single electron reduction is the only type of reaction which leads to the formation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide. The electron donating agent may be an electron donating radical such as superoxide (O₂ ⁻.) or a biologically significant redox transition metal such as iron or copper (Eberhardt, 2001). These one electron reduction reactions of H₂O₂ and other peroxides represent the most important radical forming reactions in biological systems and are responsible for most hydroxyl generation in human cells.

Fe⁺²+H₂O₂→Fe⁺³+HO⁻+HO. Fenton reaction

O₂ ⁻.+H₂O₂→O₂+HO⁻+HO. Haber-Weiss reaction

Iron can act as an intermediate and facilitate the transfer of a single electron from superoxide to hydrogen peroxide. The presence of iron will accelerate the generation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide via the iron catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction (Eberhardt, 2001; Graf et al., 1984).

O₂ ⁻.+Fe⁺³→O₂+Fe⁺² Ferric Iron (Fe⁺³) catalyzed

Fe⁺²+H₂O₂→Fe⁺³+HO⁻+HO. Haber-Weiss reaction.

Within cells, iron is coupled to biological macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. The formation of hydroxyl radical will therefore take place in close contact with these molecules. Since the hydroxyl radical is highly reactive, the damage caused by this very powerful oxidizing agent occurs at the site of formation (Eberhardt, 2001). This rapid site specific target oxidation prevents radical scavengers from interfering with this reaction and greatly magnifies the damaging effects of the H₂O₂/HO. system. Even in the absence of readily available reactive surface iron atoms, superoxide can induce the release of iron from storage proteins such as ferritin and enzymes. This released iron is then able to generate hydroxyl by reacting with hydrogen peroxide (Keyer and Imlay, 1996; Liochev and Fridovich, 1999). Thus, within biological systems, superoxide is able to provide a steady supply of its own iron catalyst needed to perpetuate the production of hydroxyl from hydrogen peroxide. Conversely, iron overload can damage tissues even when superoxide concentrations are minimal, suggesting that other reducing agents besides O₂ ⁻. can supply the electrons necessary to free iron when it redox-cycles with H₂O₂ (Keyer and Imlay, 1996).

In accordance with these observations, iron supplementation has been reported to damage the GI tract via the formation of oxygen radicals and to worsen experimentally induced colitis in laboratory animals (Srigiridhar et al., 2001; Reifen et al., 2000). Human ulcerative colitis has also been reported as a consequence of oral ferrous sulfate treatment for anemia (Kawai et al., 1992). Conversely, iron chelation has been reported to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species in patients with ulcerative colitis (Millar et al., 2000).

Excessive iron intake in the form of supplements or red meats (i.e., beef), therefore, may enhance the production of (GI barrier) damaging hydroxyl radical and facilitate the transition from the induction phase to the propagation phase of ulcerative colitis. Excessive iron is therefore a risk factor for entering the propagation phase of ulcerative colitis.

Copper is reportedly present in higher than normal amounts in active and quiescent human ulcerative colitis (Dalekos et al., 1998; Ringstad et al., 1993) and may be a contributing factor in the formation of hydroxyl radical. Human ulcerative colitis has been reported in association with and subsequent to the development of Wilson's disease in which abnormally high copper levels are present in body tissues (Torisu, 2002). As with iron, excessive copper can accelerate the reduction of H₂O₂ and increase the generation of hydroxyl radical. Excessive copper can therefore be considered a risk factor entering the propagation phase of ulcerative colitis.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant that reacts with oxygen radicals. However, serial oxidations of the ascorbyl radical can generate hydrogen peroxide that gives rise to the hydroxyl radical in the presence of iron or copper (Eberhardt, 2001). Combined ascorbic acid and mineral supplements can be a positive risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. Ascorbate can also be oxidized by L-ascorbate oxidase which generates hydrogen peroxide as a by product. Excessive intake of vitamin C of itself may be a contributing risk factor induction in ulcerative colitis.

Vitamin B-1:

Thiamine (Vitamin B-1) can be metabolized by Thiamine oxidase which generates H₂O₂. Excess thiamine can be a contributing risk factor for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

Artificial Sweeteners:

Artificial sweeteners such as Sorbitol and Xylitol are oxidized by Xylitol oxidase which generates hydrogen peroxide. If consumed in large amounts can be a risk factor for induction in ulcerative colitis.

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used extensively in many products including soft drinks and baking goods. It is commonly seen in a small blue packet along with sugar and saccharine in many restaurants. Aspartame is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids, L-phenylalanine as the methyl ester (Phe) and L-aspartic acid (Asp). About 10 percent by weight of aspartame is released as methanol. Methanol can be metabolized by methanol oxidase to formaldehyde and H₂O₂. Aspartic acid is metabolized by aspartic oxidase with the release of H₂O₂. Phenylalanine is metabolized by amino acid oxidase with the subsequent release of H₂O₂. The amount of oxidative stress caused by aspartame depends on the amount ingested. Since this product is so ubiquitous its contribution to colonic epithelial hydrogen peroxide may exceed that from general protein amino acid intake and may be a risk factor for induction in susceptible individuals.

Monosodium Glutamate:

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid. It is used in high concentrations as a flavor enhancer. Glutamic acid is metabolized by glutamate oxidase and hydrogen peroxide is released as a by-product of this reaction. The oxidative load of MSG will depend on the amount consumed. Susceptible individuals that consume a large amount of MSG may be at risk for entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

Thus, the methods of the invention also contemplate modification of the intake of and levels of vitamins, artificial sweeteners, and food additives in a patient.

Negative Risk Factors (Decrease Risk of Induction):

Certain factors have been found to decrease the risk of developing ulcerative colitis. Chief among them is the association of cigarette smoking with a decreased incidence of developing ulcerative colitis (Abraham et al., 2003; Odes, 2001). Some investigators have labeled ulcerative colitis a disease of non-smokers (Madretsma, 1996). The risk of developing ulcerative colitis is greatest among individuals who have recently quit smoking followed by non-smokers (Farrell and Peppercorn, 2002).

Tar products in tobacco smoke have been shown to inhibit the electron transport chain. Studies quantifying the effect of cigarette tar on mitochondrial electron transport activity report an 82% inhibition rate on whole chain respiration (Pryor et al., 1992). In this study nicotine had no effect on electron transport activity. ETC inhibition will reduce mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide generation. Cigarette smokers have also been reported to have reduced monoamine oxidase activity (Fowler et al., 2003). MAO, located on the mitochondrial outer membrane, is the main enzyme responsible for endogenous catecholamine metabolism. Inhibition of this enzyme decreases enzymatic oxidation of catecholamines and the generation of hydrogen peroxide which is a by-product of this reaction. Extracts of cigarette tar are reported to inhibit a number of P450 enzyme systems (Van Vleet et al., 2001). Hydrogen peroxide is a by-product of P450 metabolism and inhibition of these enzymes can lower H₂O₂ generation.

Cigarette smoke extract has also been reported to inhibit the production of cytokines, including TNF-alpha, by greater than 90%. (Ouyang et al., 2000). Cytokines are an integral component of the inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis and their reduction may confer protection.

Thus, smoking may confer protection by inhibiting H₂O₂ production and preventing the induction phase of ulcerative colitis. However, during the time the ETC is inhibited by smoking, reducing equivalents, the substrate for H₂O₂ production, have been accumulating within mitochondria of all cells of the body including colonic epithelial cells Inhibition of the electron transport chain also causes up-regulation of ETC associated enzymes in an attempt at overcoming the blockade. During the time of ETC inhibition glutathione production may also be down regulated since the cell does not have use for high levels of antioxidants when H₂O₂ production is low.

When an individual suddenly stops smoking this inhibition is abruptly removed resulting in greater ETC activity fueled by increased substrate and enzymatic activity. This also results in extra hydrogen peroxide being produced which, in susceptible individuals, may overwhelm the available glutathione within the colonic epithelial cells and increase the risk of induction.

Based on ETC inhibition, the risk of induction would be expected to be lowest in active smokers. Smokers that have recently quit smoking would be at highest risk since they are producing the most H₂O₂. Non-smokers would have the lowest risk. This mirrors the statistical risk of smoking as it relates to ulcerative colitis.

Smoking cessation during active ulcerative colitis would therefore be expected to exacerbate the condition. An increase in severity of ulcerative colitis has been reported in patients who stopped smoking during active ulcerative colitis (Beaugerie et al., 2001).

Nicotine is a parasympathomimetic and exerts its effect on the GI tract largely by stimulation of the parasympathetic ganglia. Its effect is to generally increase tone and contractility (National Academy of Sciences, 2001). The nicotine in cigarette smoke enhances intestinal peristaltic activity which tends to increase the fecal stream and prevent fecal stasis which can increase colonic bacterial and epithelial oxidant stress loads. Abrupt cessation of this adjuvant to colonic peristaltic activity would tend to favor stasis of colonic contents and promote constipation which is a risk factor for the development of ulcerative colitis (see constipation above). Thus, the methods of the invention contemplate regulated, progressive cessation of smoking in a patient.

Co-Morbid Conditions:

Ulcerative colitis has been associated with hyperthyroidism. In one case report two patients developed ulcerative colitis while being followed for hyperthyroidism (Modebe, 1986). One of these patients had a second exacerbation of ulcerative colitis which could not be controlled until it was discovered that she was thyrotoxic. The ulcerative colitis only responded to therapy after controlling the hyperthyroidism.

Another study compared the frequency of thyroid disease between 300 patients with documented ulcerative colitis and 600-age and sex matched normal controls (Jarnerot et al., 1975). A history of thyrotoxicosis was obtained in 3.7% of the ulcerative colitis patients compared with 0.8% of controls. Seventy percent of the ulcerative colitis patients developed hyperthyroidism prior to developing ulcerative colitis. Although ulcerative colitis patients can subsequently develop hyperthyroidism it is unlikely that a subclinical hyperthyroid state will be uncovered before the patient seeks treatment for ulcerative colitis and therefore the number of ulcerative colitis patients with preceding hyperthyroidism may be underestimated.

The colon and the thyroid gland have dissimilar embryological origins arguing against a common cross-reactive antigenic stimulus for the development of an autoimmune pathogenesis as an etiology in both diseases.

Thyroid hormone is known to raise the metabolic rate. It accomplishes this by increasing the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (Venditti et al., 2003; Goglia et al., 2002; Venditti et al., 1997). Under the influence of excess thyroid hormone greater amounts of hydrogen peroxide are generated and released by accelerated mitochondrial ETC activity (Venditti et al., 2003).

Thus, increased ETC activity results in higher intracellular H₂O₂ production in all cells of the body including colonic tissue. Under appropriate conditions this can result in colonic epithelium entering the induction phase of ulcerative colitis when excess un-neutralized H₂O₂ diffuses out of the colonic epithelial cell.

Conversely, chemically induced hypothyroidism is reported to significantly attenuate animal models of experimental colitis (Isman et al., 2003; Oren et al., 1997). This suggests that H₂O₂ constitutively produced in the euthyroid state presents a major oxidant load to the cell and results in the consumption of significant amounts of intracellular glutathione.

Thus, the methods of the invention contemplate the use of compositions and methods to control thyroid hormone levels in a patient.

Genetic Factors:

Ulcerative colitis has an approximate 10% concordancy rate between mono-zygotic twins (Farrell and Peppercorn, 2002). This suggests that environmental factors are diverse and very influential in the development of the disease. The lack of an identifiable genotype suggests that genetic factors are multiple (not singular) and with insufficient penetrance to elicit the disease on their own.

In other words, environmental exposure of synergistic factors each of which is beneath the threshold to elicit a recognizable pathogenic response on their own may be acting in concert with several genetic factors of weak penetrance which overlap in only 10 percent of monozygotic twins in order for ulcerative colitis to occur.

Genetic research performed by Cho et al. uncovered the existence of a pathophysiologically crucial IBD susceptibility gene (1p36) located on the small arm of human chromosome 1 (Cho et al., 2000; Cho et al., 1998). This genetic locus codes for two enzymes that are able to influence the intracellular redox environment at a fundamental level.

The first enzyme, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR, EC 1.5.1.20), has several polymorphic variant phenotypes which interfere with normal folate metabolism (above). It is located at 1p36.3. It is present in about twenty percent of individuals with ulcerative colitis. This polymorphic enzyme causes elevation in serum homocysteine and a decrease in methionine and glycine. This epistatic effect can inhibit glutathione peroxidase function and interfere with glutathione synthesis, both of which are essential for detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. This results in higher than normal intracellular H₂O₂ and increased risk of ulcerative colitis induction (above). Persons with mutant or defective MTHFR might be treated prophylactically with folate and trimethylglycine.

A second enzyme located at this locus (1p36.3) is 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) (EC 1.1.1.44). PGD is the second dehydrogenase enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (hexose monophosphate shunt) which is responsible for production of NADPH. PGD catalyzes the conversion of 6-phosophogluconate to ribulose-5-phosphate generating two molecules of NADPH. NADPH is crucial for the reduction of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) back to reduced glutathione (GSH) in order to neutralize the continuous production of hydrogen peroxide being generated within the cell. The pentose phosphate pathway is the major source of reducing equivalent (NADPH) that allows H₂O₂ generating systems, such as the ATP producing electron transport chain and most oxidase enzymes, to function. Without NADPH to regenerate reduced glutathione, intracellular enzymes would suffer irreversible oxidative damage from excess hydrogen peroxide and cellular function would cease within minutes as apoptosis is triggered.

PGD exists in several polymorphic forms with decreased activity ranging from 22 to 79% of normal (Davidson, 1967; Parr, 1966; Parr, 1967; Dern et al., 1966; Nelson, 1982). Decreased levels of glutathione have been reported as a result of a PGD polymorphic enzyme (Capari, 2001). This suggests that normal activity of both NADPH producing enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway is necessary for normal glutathione levels. PGD activity can also be lowered by exogenous factors such as antibiotics, dietary fat and the ageing process (Ciftci, 2002; Tomlinson, 1998; Gordillo, 1991).

Polymorphic variants of PGD can decrease the amount of NADPH being generated. Under the appropriate conditions, individuals with this genetic polymorphism may then be at greater risk for H₂O₂ accumulation within the cell and higher risk for ulcerative colitis induction. Compromised PGD activity may, therefore, contribute to the ulcerative colitis induction process in predisposed individuals.

Cytochrome p450 oxygenase is a part of a family of about 50 genetically distinct enzyme systems that metabolize xenobiotics. This enzyme utilizes NADPH as an electron donor in order to metabolize drugs and toxins that enter the body. As mentioned above NADPH is also needed to regenerate reduced glutathione. Therefore fast metabolizers of any specific drug will consume more NADPH when exposed to that drug. The diversion of NADPH from Glutathione regeneration to drug detoxification can increase the intracellular concentration of hydrogen peroxide and likewise the risk of ulcerative colitis induction. P450 enzymes also generate H₂O₂ during metabolism of xenobiotics further increasing the oxidative load.

Studies of normal appearing colonic mucosa have reported significant inter-individual variation of enzymes involved in glutathione synthesis and metabolism (Batist et al., 1988). Variation between individuals was considerable at 8 fold for glutathione-S-transferase, 10 fold for glutathione peroxidase, 16 fold for glutathione levels, 14 fold for gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and 5 fold for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase. These large enzyme variations directly or indirectly affect intracellular glutathione concentrations which itself shows a 16 fold variation between individuals.

Ethnic variation and enzymopathies has also been reported for phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC: 1.1.1.44), glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.19), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (EC 6.3.2.2), and glutathione synthetase (EC 6.3.2.3) (Scriver et al., 2001; Larsson and Anderson, 2001; Buetler and Matsumoto, 1975).

Genetic factors affecting colonic glutathione concentrations are numerous. Factors affecting the synthesis, reductive regeneration, or phase II bio-conjugation of glutathione can increase intracellular H₂O₂. Individually no single factor appears to be able to alter the redox balance to the point of excessive intracellular H₂O₂ accumulation. However, in the face of a confluence of these genetic factors and the appropriate environmental conditions the colonic epithelium's ability to neutralize intracellularly generated hydrogen peroxide may be compromised and the tissue can enter the induction phase of ulcerative colitis.

Thus, the methods of the invention also contemplate genetic screening of an individual and modification, as necessary, of lifestyle and/or institution of treatment regimens based on results of the screening.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

Following are examples which illustrate procedures for practicing the invention. These examples should not be construed as limiting. All percentages are by weight and all solvent mixture proportions are by volume unless otherwise noted.

Example 1 Treatment of Patient During Induction Phase

It has been discovered that ulcerative colitis, like many other diseases can be prevented if it is recognized during the induction phase. Recognition of the induction process is difficult since there are little or no symptoms or signs pointing to the colon as the source of the problem and the colon is histologically and macroscopically normal. Recognition at this stage requires a high index of suspicion coupled with some knowledge of the extra intestinal manifestations, xenobiotic associations, family and genetic history, ulcerative colitis epidemiological data and life style history.

A p-anca antibody at this time may be positive if the colonic epithelial barrier has been rendered sufficiently permeable to allow prolonged contact between the immune system and bacterial antigens in the colon. The p-anca antibody has been shown to be directed against a surface antigen of B. Vulgatus and is an indication of colonic barrier breach with subsequent immune activation. Evidence of increased colonic epithelial turnover may be found in fecal samples since H₂O₂ can induce epithelial proliferation. If a colonoscopy should be performed additional evidence of epithelial cell proliferation may be seen such as melanosis coli (Pardi et al., 1998). Immunological staining of colonic biopsies may reveal altered tight junction proteins such as cadherin and basement membrane abnormalities. In vivo conductance studies, if this were possible, would show increased permeability in macroscopically normal colonic tissue.

In patients that are determined to be in the induction phase, measures can be undertaken to implement lifestyle changes in order to reduce the oxidative stress on the colon. All xenobiotics and alcohol should be terminated. Smoking should be discontinued gradually rather than via a complete cessation, i.e., the patient should avoid going “cold turkey” when trying to stop smoking Constipation should be corrected. Fast food should be eliminated and a diet high in antioxidants (vegetables and fruit), fiber, and good quality protein should be instituted. Stress reduction should be instituted with counseling if necessary.

Example 2 Treatment of Patient During Propagation Phase

Currently, individuals are almost never recognized during the induction phase and only seek medical help because of rectal bleeding when the propagation phase has already developed. A colonic neutrophilic inflammatory reaction into the colonic mucosa cannot be reversed with the same measures used during the induction phase, although it is prudent to institute them in order to prevent re-induction after reversal of the inflammatory reaction has been accomplished.

Treatment of colonic inflammation during the propagation phase comprises one or more of the following:

1. Neutralization of colonic hydrogen peroxide.

2. Reduction of neutrophilic stimulation by colonic bacteria.

3. Termination of colonic epithelial cell lipid peroxidation.

4. Reduction of colonic mucosal permeability.

Neutralization of hydrogen peroxide is critical in order to terminate continued tissue damage. This can be accomplished, for example, with rectal instillation of sodium thiosulfate that will neutralize hydrogen peroxide to water and non-reactive sulfate products.

The stimulatory effect of colonic bacteria, mainly anaerobic Bacteroides, on neutrophils can be mitigated with bismuth subgallate which prevents bacterial adherence to the colonic epithelium and is bactericidal.

Termination of colonic epithelial lipid peroxidation can be achieved with d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) as the acetate or the succinate. This also adds viscosity to the solution which creates a steric hindrance to prevent cytokines and radicals from interacting with their target tissue.

Finally, cromolyn sodium can block colonic mast cells and decrease colonic permeability to luminal antigens.

This therapy can be administered as a retention enema once daily.

Oral therapy with Clonidine to reduce the oxidative effects of endogenous catecholamines secondary to stress can also be instituted. Pentoxyfylline has anti-inflammatory activity and may function as a purinergic agonist via an adenosine receptor on the surface of the infiltrating neutrophil which can inhibit NADPH oxidase and apoptosis. This oral therapy can be continued, along with lifestyle changes, as maintenance therapy to prevent re-initiation and relapse.

Example 3

Patient is a 44 year old female who has had ulcerative colitis since 1994. It started with bleeding. She actually had bleeding and cramping about every six months. Each episode abated spontaneously without therapy. They began to increase in intensity until 2003.

In October 2003 patient had a colonoscopy and for the first time, an official diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made. She was started on ASACOL (Medeva Pharma Schweiz AG, Switzerland) but still had recurrences; however, the recurrences were shorter. The recurrences occurred every 3-5 months. Some of the episodes were severe but did not respond to hydrocortisone enemas. Subsequently, she had a very severe episode that did not respond to ASACOL or the enemas. She was treated with prednisone and improved for a few months but then it recurred and was more severe than ever.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy showed moderately active diseases to exactly 20 cm (see FIGS. 1A-1E). Above that, the mucosa was normal and stool was normal. Biopsies and pictures were taken. Biopsy specimens showed diffuse colitis with distortion of crypt architecture, mononuclear cell expansion of the lamina propria, basal plasmacytosis and mucosal ulceration, consistent with chronic ulcerative colitis, severe activity, with epithelial changes negative for dysplasia. CMV was not identified.

Following sigmoidoscopy, patient was started on a once daily enema treatment with an enema formulation of the present invention comprising: 1) 40 cc of Rowasa (2.6 gms) (Mesalamine) Rectal Suspension; 2) 5 cc sodium cromolyn (100 mg/5 cc oral concentrate); 3) 15 cc of 1 Molar sodium butyrate (15 milimoles or 1.5 gms); and 4) 1 cc sodium budesonide (5 mg/cc). The patient also was started on oral R-dihydro lipoic acid 300 mg given twice daily.

After completion of 7 days of treatment, patient claims to be 85% improved having noticed improvement beginning about the fourth day. She is having no more cramping, no mucus, and no blood. Her stools are forming. Patient will continue for another week on treatment and then will be examined by sigmoidoscopy.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy of patient showed an absolutely normal looking mucus membrane (see FIGS. 2A-2C). Biopsies were taken. Biopsy specimens showed distortion of crypt architecture and minor mononuclear cell expansion of the lamina propria consistent with quiescent chronic ulcerative colitis. Active inflammation was not identified. The epithelial changes were negative for dysplasia.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims. In addition, any elements or limitations of any invention or embodiment thereof disclosed herein can be combined with any and/or all other elements or limitations (individually or in any combination) or any other invention or embodiment thereof disclosed herein, and all such combinations are contemplated with the scope of the invention without limitation thereto.

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I claim:
 1. A composition formulated for rectal administration as an enema or suppository in a person or animal, said composition comprising an aminosalicylic acid and a steroid.
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said aminosalicylic acid is 5-ASA, or 4-ASA, or an analog or derivative of an aminosalicylic acid.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises an emulsifying agent and/or a mast cell stabilizer.
 4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein said emulsifying agent is polysorbate-80.
 5. The composition according to claim 3, wherein said mast cell stabilizer is cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium.
 6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprises from about 500 mg to about 5000 mg of 5-ASA; or from about 750 mg to about 3000 mg of 5-ASA; or about 2000 mg of 5-ASA.
 7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said steroid is a corticosteroid.
 8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said steroid is hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, betamethasone, beclometasone, tixocortol, or budesonide, or an analog or derivative thereof.
 9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises a short chain fatty acid.
 10. The composition according to claim 9, wherein said fatty acid is sodium butyrate, proprionate, or acetate.
 11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein said composition comprises about 5 to about 50 millimoles of sodium butyrate; or about 15 millimoles of sodium butyrate.
 12. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprises from about 1 mg to about 10 mg of budesonide; or from about 2.5 mg to about 7.5 mg of budesonide; or about 5 mg of budesonide.
 13. The composition according to claim 5, wherein said composition comprises about 10 to about 1000 mg of cromolyn sodium; or about 100 mg of cromolyn sodium.
 14. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprises 5-ASA, or an analog or derivative thereof; budesonide; and cromolyn sodium.
 15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein said composition further comprises sodium butyrate.
 16. A composition formulated for oral administration to a person or animal, said composition comprising alpha-lipoic acid, and/or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (N-A-C), and/or L-glutamine.
 17. The composition according to claim 16, wherein said composition further comprises 5-ASA.
 18. The composition according to claim 16, wherein said composition further comprises a compound that inhibits tissue necrosis factor (TNF).
 19. The composition according to claim 18, wherein said compound that inhibits TNF is selected from the group consisting of resveratrol, stinging nettle leaf extract, and berberine.
 20. The composition according to claim 16, wherein said composition further comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of a composition that directly neutralizes H₂O₂, a composition that helps protect proteins from oxidation and/or degradation, and a composition that protects nucleic acids. 